Two suspects were taken into custody Sunday following a series of shootings across south and east Austin that left four people injured and prompted a widespread police response, authorities said.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis told reporters that a 15-year-old male and a 17-year-old male were arrested after 12 separate incidents in which shots were fired over the weekend. One person suffered serious injuries while three others sustained minor wounds, according to Davis.
"The 15-year-old stole a gun from a store on Saturday," Davis said during the press conference. She added that the 17-year-old had an outstanding warrant for theft of a gun from the same location.
The pair reportedly stole more than four vehicles while moving through the city, Davis said, citing information from the Travis County Sheriff's Office. A third young Hispanic male fled the scene when officers apprehended the two juveniles, officials said.
The shootings began Saturday and continued into early Sunday, targeting areas in south and east Austin. Two incidents involved gunfire directed at separate fire stations, with one truck struck at one of the locations, Davis reported. Other shots hit residential buildings.
Motives for the spree remain unknown as the investigation continues, Davis emphasized. "The motives were unknown for the shootings, which are still under investigation," she stated.
Police described the events as a coordinated series of attacks carried out by the young suspects as they traveled between locations. The stolen vehicles allowed them to cover significant ground before officers closed in, according to the chief.
Community members in the affected neighborhoods expressed shock at the sudden violence that disrupted an otherwise quiet weekend. Local residents reported hearing multiple bursts of gunfire late Saturday night and into Sunday morning.
Officials have not released the names of the injured individuals or the exact addresses of the shootings, citing the ongoing nature of the probe. Investigators are working to determine whether the incidents were connected to any larger pattern or dispute.
The 15-year-old and 17-year-old remain in custody as of Sunday evening, while the third individual is still being sought, police said. Authorities urged anyone with information about the missing suspect to contact the Austin Police Department tip line.
This incident marks one of the more extensive shooting sprees reported in the city in recent months, though officials stopped short of drawing broader conclusions about crime trends. The focus remains on piecing together the timeline and recovering any additional weapons involved.
Further updates are expected as detectives continue interviewing the detained suspects and reviewing surveillance footage from the areas where the vehicles were stolen and the shots fired.