AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) issued a shelter-in-place order for four major roadways on Sunday afternoon as police investigated at least 10 “random” shootings this weekend.
Police later lifted the order around 4:30 p.m. after two suspects in the shootings were arrested, with one still remaining at-large. During a news conference on Sunday evening, officials said that it is unclear how involved the suspect still at-large was in the shootings. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the two people in custody were 15 and 17 years old.
According to Davis, four people were shot, one with serious injuries but is in stable condition and the other three had minor injuries.
The four roadways that were under the shelter-in-place order were South Slaughter Lane, East McKinney Falls Parkway, North Ben White Boulevard, and West Escarpment Boulevard.
According to an emergency alert sent out, the shelter in place was because of an “ongoing law enforcement incident.”
The alert asked residents to check APD’s social media for updates.
On the department’s X account, a post said that the shelter-in-place order was due to officers searching for suspects connected to multiple shootings. The post asked residents to stay indoors “until further notice.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a video posted on X that “multiple shootings” had been reported, including at two fire stations.
According to a news release from the Austin Firefighters Association, one of the shootings occured late Saturday night, and the other occurred early Sunday morning. No firefighters were injured, and all fire stations across the city were on lockdown Sunday, the release said.
“Austin firefighters are continuing to answer every call for help, just as we always do,” said David Girouard, president of the Austin Firefighters Association, in the release. “Our members are continuing to respond city-wide to other reported shootings and to care for victims. While our station doors are locked, our crews remain in full force responding to every call to serve our city and respond to our community without hesitation.”
Watson said the shootings occurred mostly in South Austin, and there is no motive at this time as the shootings appeared to be random. He asked that Austinites remain vigilant.
Davis said the suspects stole multiple cars including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver Mazda four-door and a white Kia.
The Manor Police Department also issued a shelter-in-place for Ralph Ritchie and Suncrest roads, North FM 973 Road near Suncrest and Tower roads, the Presidential Meadows Subdivision and the Greenbury Subdivision. The shelter-in-place was lifted just before 8 p.m. on Sunday, with the third suspect still not being located.
Manor police said that nearly 200 officers were involved in the search.
This is a developing story.