At least four people, including the suspect, have died and 17 others were injured during a mass shooting in downtown Austin, Texas, police confirmed via KVUE and Austin Statesman investigative reporter Tony Plohetski.
“UPDATE: Authorities say the shooting scene is at Buford’s; 17 injured, four dead including the shooter,” Plohetski wrote on his X account.
The Austin police department had previously confirmed that the incident took place “along West Sixth Street” and that “the suspect has been shot by police.” Officers responded to reports of a man opening fire at Buford’s Bar. Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said three officers shot back toward the suspect, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities haven’t yet publicly identified the suspect but he was described as a man. The Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service confirmed that it took 14 people to the hospital and 14 were reported to be in critical condition.
“I’m very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson via KXAN. “I don’t think there’s any question that it saved lives.”
Davis said that authorities were able to respond to the area quickly because of customary staging over on East Sixth Street, with ATCEMS Chief Robert Luckritz confirming that medics were present within 57 seconds of receiving the call at 1:59 a.m. local time.
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