Tragedy struck North Austin on Monday afternoon when gunfire erupted outside a Target store, leaving three people dead and a community in shock.
Police say the violence began around 2:15 p.m. at the Target on 8601 Research Boulevard. Officers arrived to find three victims in the parking lot, all suffering from gunshot wounds. Two were pronounced dead at the scene, and the third succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.
A fourth individual received on-site medical care for unrelated injuries, officials confirmed.
Authorities say the suspect… identified as a 32-year-old white male with a criminal past and a documented history of mental health struggles… fled in a stolen vehicle before crashing. He then allegedly carjacked another driver and sped away again.
The tense manhunt ended in South Austin when officers deployed a Taser to take the armed suspect into custody without further gunfire, according to Police Chief Lisa Davis. “This is a heartbreaking day for Austin. My thoughts are with the victims’ families,” Davis said.
Several roads remain closed as detectives work the scene and piece together the events that led to the deadly attack.
This is a developing investigation.
