Police said the attacks appeared random and included gunfire at fire stations, homes and vehicles.
AUSTIN, Texas — Teenagers were taken into custody after a weekend shooting spree across Austin injured four people, prompted shelter-in-place alerts and sent police searching through South Austin and nearby Manor for suspects, authorities said Sunday.
Austin police said the shootings unfolded across at least 10 locations between Saturday and Sunday, with some reports placing the total at 12 incidents. Police Chief Lisa Davis said the attacks appeared random and involved stolen vehicles, stolen guns and targets that included fire stations, apartment buildings, houses, cars and people. One victim was seriously injured, while three others suffered injuries described as less severe.
Authorities first warned residents Sunday afternoon as officers searched for suspects tied to the shootings. A shelter-in-place order covered a large area of South Austin bounded by South Slaughter Lane, East McKinney Falls Parkway, North Ben White Boulevard and West Escarpment Boulevard. Police later said the alert was lifted after two teen suspects were detained, though officers continued searching for another suspect in the Manor area. By late Sunday, some local reports said three suspects were in custody, while earlier police updates and wire reports still listed one suspect as at large.
Davis said investigators believe the suspects moved through the city in several stolen vehicles during the spree. Police listed a dark Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver Mazda and a white Kia Optima among vehicles connected to the investigation. Officers also said one of the juveniles had stolen a gun used in the attacks and that another was already wanted in a separate gun theft case. The suspects’ names were not released because of their ages. Police said the investigation also includes robberies and vehicle thefts reported during the same period.
Two Austin Fire Department stations were struck by gunfire, officials said. No firefighters were reported injured, but department leaders said station doors were locked as a safety measure while crews continued operating. Other shootings were reported near homes and apartment properties, leaving residents shaken as patrol cars, SWAT teams and helicopters moved through neighborhoods. Mayor Kirk Watson said officials had not identified a clear motive and described the events as chaotic and apparently random.
The most serious injury was reported after a shooting near Janes Ranch Road on Sunday morning, according to local reports. Police said the victim was hospitalized in critical condition. Three other people were also injured across the series of shootings. Authorities did not immediately release the victims’ names or ages. Investigators spent Sunday collecting shell casings, reviewing surveillance video and working to match scenes, vehicles and firearms to the suspects.
The case moved quickly from scattered shooting calls to a citywide public safety response. Police used emergency alerts and public briefings to warn residents while officers searched neighborhoods and tracked suspect vehicles. The shelter-in-place order caused confusion across parts of South Austin before it was lifted later Sunday. In Manor, police continued searching after reports that another suspect may have fled there in a damaged vehicle.
Prosecutors had not announced formal charges by late Sunday. Police said the juveniles could face charges tied to shootings, robberies, stolen vehicles and stolen firearms as detectives complete reports. Additional charges could be filed after investigators review ballistic evidence, vehicle records and witness statements. Authorities said they were still working to determine whether all incidents were connected to the same group.
The investigation remained active Sunday night, with Austin police asking nearby agencies to assist as detectives sorted through multiple crime scenes. Officials said more information was expected after investigators complete interviews and confirm the final number of connected shootings.