At least three individuals were killed in a shooting at a Target store in Austin, Texas on Monday afternoon. The suspected gunman, identified as a man around 32 years old, was arrested after fleeing the scene and driving multiple vehicles, including a stolen car from the parking lot. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed the incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. and emphasized the tragic impact on the community, noting the suspect has a history of mental health issues and a criminal record. The incident is under investigation, with authorities reviewing surveillance footage to determine the motive.
Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis addressed the press at a press conference, stating that the shooting occurred when police arrived at the scene and found three individuals who had been shot in the store’s parking lot. Davis revealed that the suspect had fled the scene after stealing a victim’s car, which he later wrecked before taking a Volkswagen from a car dealership. The suspect was eventually apprehended in South Austin after a tasing, following an alert from a neighbor who called the authorities.
Davis expressed her condolences to the families of the victims, calling it a ‘very sad day for Austin.’ She emphasized that the suspect’s history includes mental health issues, a criminal record, and emergency detention holds. While the cause of the shooting remains unclear, law enforcement is continuing its investigation, including reviewing surveillance footage from the Target store to understand the circumstances leading to the attack.
Target employees reported that the shooter had directed shoppers to exit the back of the store, a source shared with FOX Business. The company issued a statement expressing its devastation over the violent incident, vowing to work closely with law enforcement and provide support resources, including grief counseling, to its team in Austin. The company also thanked first responders for their quick actions at the scene.
Police initially described the suspect as a white male, possibly wearing khaki shorts and a Hawaiian floral shirt. The suspect’s movements after the shooting included multiple vehicles, including stolen ones, before he was eventually taken into custody. As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on identifying possible motives and understanding the sequence of events leading to the shooting. The tragedy has left the community in shock, with calls for increased gun control measures and support for mental health resources.