FBI says ‘indicators’ of terrorism in downtown Austin mass shooting
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Three people died, and at least 14 others were injured in a shooting on West Sixth Street overnight Saturday into Sunday, according to Austin-Travis County EMS.
Austin Police officers responded to the popular street to calls about a man shooting at Buford’s Bar. Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said three officers shot back toward the suspect, who died. The suspect has not yet been identified, but was described as a man.
Federal partners, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), also responded to the scene.
The FBI said its joint terrorism task force team members, as well as other specialty teams, were investigating. During a briefing, the FBI said there were “indicators” of terrorism related to the shooting.
Chief Davis said an SUV drove around the area several times before the suspect fired a handgun out of the window. Those shots hit people on the patio and in front of the bar, according to police.
Davis said the suspect then parked the vehicle on Wood Street, got out, and shot his gun at people walking by. Police responded at that time, and the suspect was shot and killed.
According to police, two weapons, a pistol and a rifle, were used in the shooting.
ATCEMS said medics took 14 people to the hospital after the shooting. Of those 14, three were in critical condition as of the last report.
“I’m very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “I don’t think there’s any question that it saved lives.”
Davis said officers and ATCEMS medics were able to respond quickly to the area because of customary staging over on East Sixth Street. ATCEMS Chief Robert Luckritz said his medics were on scene within 57 seconds of getting the call at 1:59 a.m.
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KXAN spoke with Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock, who confirmed the suspect was one of the three people who died.
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