Texas Authorities Apprehend Suspects Tied to Series of Random Attacks

Two individuals suspected of involvement in a series of 10 random shootings were taken into custody following a tumultuous weekend in Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, authorities continue their search for a third suspect who remains at large.

According to Police Chief Lisa Davis, the suspects are Hispanic males in their late teens. One is characterized by medium-length wavy hair, while the other sports longer locks.

The teenagers were last seen driving a white KIA Optima but are also known to have used several other stolen vehicles, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, and a silver Mazda four-door, to carry out the attacks.

The arrests were made on Sunday evening. However, the Austin Police Department has confirmed that a third suspect is still on the run and believed to be in the Manor area.

Manor Police have stated that they are collaborating with other law enforcement agencies in efforts to apprehend the remaining suspect.

The two teens’ arrest comes just hours after police issued a shelter in place warning as they searched for the two men who allegedly carried out a series of shootings that left up to four people injured.

The shootings began on Saturday night and continued into Sunday morning.

The suspects had fired at two fire stations, authorities said, but a motive for the shootings remains unclear.

Police were hunting for two suspects in connection with multiple shootings which left up to four people injured

They were last seen driving a white KIA Optima, though they have previously also used a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan and a silver Mazda four-door as they carried out the attacks

Police confirmed on Sunday that the two suspects have been caught, but a third remained on the loose

‘We don’t have any specific motive that has been identified,’ Mayor Kirk Watson said at a news conference.

‘In fact, these actions appear to be random.’ 

The first shooting came at 9pm Saturday on Wentworth Drive in east Austin, where the suspects fired toward Fire Station 26, CBS Austin reports.

The second shooting then came at around 8am near the intersection of James Ranch Road and Ballydawn Drive in southeast Austin, where a male victim was shot once and transported to a local hospital, where authorities say he remains in serious but stable condition. 

A third shooting happened around 10.50am on Sunday on Montebello Road in southwest Austin, where suspects fired toward Fire Station 32.

Another shooting near the intersection of Burton Drive and Oltorf Street was also under investigation.

A witness there reported that someone in a vehicle had opened fire, possibly following an argument. 

One person was shot and transported to a local hospital, where he had to undergo surgery on Sunday.

In total, authorities said four individuals were shot in the teens’ rampage. One sustained serious injuries, while three others suffered minor injuries. 

No firefighters were among those injured, as the Austin Firefighters Association reported only minor damage to at least one fire apparatus and both stations.

Fire stations were also placed on a citywide lockdown, though crews remained fully staffed and continued responding to calls, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

A shelter-in-place order now remains in several Manor-area neighborhoods including those around Ralph Ritchie Road and Suncrest Road, North FM 973 near Suncrest Road and Tower Road, and the Presidential Meadows, Greenbury and Stonewater subdivisions.

Authorities are offering a reward of up to $1,000 for any information leading to an arrest, but residents are urged not to approach any suspects or any suspicious vehicles.