Authorities in Austin, Texas have taken three juveniles into custody in connection with a weekend shooting spree that wounded four people across the city, according to local officials.
The suspects traveled throughout Austin in multiple stolen vehicles, opening fire on fire stations, apartment complexes, and residential homes during a crime spree that spanned from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis announced Sunday.
Officers arrested two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, after stopping them in a stolen vehicle and pursuing them on foot when they attempted to flee. A third suspect who had also fled from the car was captured Sunday evening at a gas station in Manor, located approximately 15 miles northeast of Austin. Authorities confirmed this individual was also a minor but released no additional information about age or other details.
According to Davis, the weapon used in the shooting incidents had previously been stolen by the 15-year-old suspect, while the 17-year-old was already sought in connection with a different firearm theft.
City officials issued a shelter-in-place directive for a significant portion of south Austin on Sunday during the manhunt for the suspects. The order was subsequently canceled after two of the suspects were captured.
Emergency responders transported four shooting victims to area hospitals, with one person suffering life-threatening injuries, according to officials.
Davis reported that the suspects had taken at least four different vehicles during their movement around the city.
“We don’t have any specific motive that has been identified. In fact, these actions appear to be random,” Mayor Kirk Watson said.
