Austin Shooting Spree Ends With 3 Suspects Arrested After 12 Shootings Across City

Austin police say three suspects are now in custody after a violent shooting spree stretched across the city over the weekend, leaving four people injured and triggering a massive multi-agency manhunt. Authorities say the suspects, all juveniles, are tied to at least 10 to 12 separate shootings that occurred across South and East Austin between Saturday afternoon and Sunday evening. Investigators say the attacks appeared random, with suspects allegedly firing at apartment complexes, homes, fire stations, and people in public while driving stolen vehicles. (AP News)

According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, the spree began Saturday afternoon when shots were fired near Austin Fire Station 26 in East Austin. Police later connected a growing number of shootings after additional calls came in overnight and into Sunday morning. One victim was reportedly shot in the back while walking a dog in southeast Austin, while others were injured outside residential areas and businesses. One victim remains in critical condition, while the others suffered non-life-threatening injuries. (AP News)

Police say the suspects stole multiple vehicles during the spree and used stolen firearms in the attacks. Authorities identified one suspect as 17-year-old Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo, who reportedly already had an outstanding warrant related to firearm theft. A 15-year-old suspect was also allegedly connected to another stolen gun involved in the shootings. The third suspect, another juvenile, was arrested separately after a large search operation near Manor, Texas. (MySA)

The search for the suspects escalated into one of Austin’s largest police responses this year. Nearly 200 officers, including SWAT teams, K9 units, helicopters, drones, and multiple law-enforcement agencies, participated in the manhunt. Authorities issued temporary shelter-in-place orders in portions of South Austin and Manor while police tracked the suspects after a stolen vehicle crashed during a pursuit. Two suspects were quickly apprehended after fleeing on foot, while the third was captured hours later near a gas station. (KATV)

Officials say investigators are still trying to determine a motive. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson stated that the attacks appeared random and said there was currently no evidence suggesting the victims were specifically targeted. The incident has also reignited debate in Austin over the use of automated license plate readers after officials said neighboring agencies used the technology to help locate the suspects’ vehicle during the search. (Axios)

The case is still developing, and police say additional charges are expected as detectives continue reviewing surveillance footage, ballistic evidence, and witness statements tied to the shootings. Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the spree to contact Austin police or Capital Area Crime Stoppers. (KATV)