A tragic shooting outside a Target store in Austin, Texas on Monday afternoon has left three people dead and a suspect in custody, according to local authorities. The deadly incident unfolded quickly, beginning with reports of gunfire at the Target location on Research Boulevard around 2:15 p.m.
When Austin police officers arrived at the scene, they found three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite immediate response from emergency crews, all three victims were pronounced dead. Among those killed was the person from whom the suspect allegedly stole a vehicle in the Target parking lot.
Police have identified the suspect as a 32-year-old male. After the initial shootings, investigators say he hijacked a car from one of the victims and fled the scene. His escape was short-lived—he crashed the stolen vehicle shortly after and, undeterred, proceeded to steal another car from a local car dealership.
Law enforcement officers tracked the suspect to the southern part of the city, where he abandoned the second stolen vehicle. At that point, another person called police, leading to his location being pinpointed. Officials have not released details about what prompted that call.
Austin police confronted the suspect and were able to take him into custody after deploying a Taser to subdue him. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the shootings or whether there was any connection between the suspect and his victims.
The incident has shaken the Austin community, turning a busy shopping center into a scene of violence and loss. Investigators are continuing to piece together the timeline of events and are asking anyone with information to come forward.
As the families of the victims grapple with the sudden and senseless nature of their loss, city officials are urging residents to keep them in their thoughts and to support one another during this difficult time. Further updates, including the identities of those killed, are expected as the investigation unfolds.
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