A mass shooting outside an Austin, Texas, bar has left three people dead — including the suspected gunman — and 14 others seriously injured, Us Weekly confirms.
Gunfire erupted in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 1, outside Buford’s, a popular beer garden at West Sixth and Rio Grande streets, Austin police said.
According to authorities, police responded to the scene before 1:40 a.m. and killed the suspect, whose name has not been released.
The police have not yet released the names of the dead.
An eyewitness video shared on social media and allegedly taken at the scene of the incident appears to show the police pinning the man to the ground while the emergency services were on the scene.
The person recording the video says “that piece of s**t” who shot the bar.
Austin Police Sgt Lisa Davis spoke to the media at 5 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. press conferences and said first responders were on the scene less than a minute after the first 911 calls were received with a message describing a “male shooter” at the popular night spot.
“They definitely saved lives,” Davis said.
Authorities confronted a man who was fleeing the scene with a gun when they arrived and “shot and killed the shooter,” Davis explained.
EMS officer Robert Luckritz he said three people were found dead at the scene, while 14 others were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Three of the injured, he said, were listed in critical condition.
“We received a call at 1:39 in the morning and within 57 seconds, paramedics and police were on the scene treating the patients,” Luckritz told reporters.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also spoke to reporters, applauding the quick response of city police and EMTs.
“I’m very grateful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s any question that it saved a life.”
Members of the Austin Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were still on the scene Sunday morning. A rifle and a handgun were both allegedly found at the scene.
Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the shooter has a history of mental health issues and is currently investigating whether the shooter was influenced by extremist views, particularly Islamic extremism.
The official motive for the mass shooting remains unclear.
“My condolences to those affected by this. This is a tragic, tragic incident,” Davis said.
Anyone looking to reconnect with loved ones should call the Austin Police Department’s victim services unit at (512) 974-5037.
If you have any information about witnesses to footage or videos that may have captured what happened you can submit evidence here.
Tipsters can also call Austin Police at (512) 974-TIPS. You can submit your tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers program by calling (512) 472-8477.
