AUSTIN, Texas — Three people are dead after a shooting in the parking lot of the Target at 8601 Research Blvd., near Ohlen Road, in North Austin on Monday afternoon.

Austin Police Department (APD) Chief Lisa Davis said a call came in around 2:15 p.m. of a shooting at the Target, and officers arrived on the scene shortly after.

Davis said the suspect, a 32-year-old man with a history of mental health issues, fled the scene in a stolen car, then wrecked that car and stole another car. He was later taken into custody in the 2400 block of La Costa Drive in southeast Austin after a Taser was used.

Three people are dead, according to Davis. Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said two of the victims died in the parking lot and the third died at a hospital. A fourth person was treated on the scene for unrelated injuries. 

“This is a very sad day for Austin,” Chief Davis said. “It’s a very sad day for us all.”

There were initial reports from APD that a child was involved in the shooting, but neither Davis nor Luckritz provided an update to that information during a 4 p.m. press conference.

Marco Torres was working his shift at Target when he heard someone calling out for security through his radio. 

“I heard two gunshots. I ran towards the front to see what was going on. And then I saw everyone scattering towards the back, towards the exit,” Torres said. “I was running for my life. That was the last thing.”

Avaria Taylor was walking into the Target when she got stopped by police. 

“I was kind of like panicky, nervous, didn’t know how to handle that situation,” Taylor said. “It was just a lot of mental strain of having to see like dead bodies and blood and guns, and it’s a lot.”

While Torres plans on coming back to work, he now sees life and the loss of it differently. 

“I always thought that this only happened in the movies, but not that it happened to me at my workplace. I’m just like shocked. I’m shaking,” Torres said.

APD said due to the active crime scene, as of just before 4 p.m., vehicles in the Target parking lot could not be released until the initial investigation is complete. Shoppers were asked to arrange alternate transportation home, and police said they will be updated as soon as it’s safe to retrieve their vehicle.

APD also said the 8000 block of the MoPac southbound frontage was shut down between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane. The main lanes of MoPac northbound and southbound remained open. 

In a post on social media, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said, “This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families. While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence. I am grateful for the quick response of our APD officers and other first responders and want to thank them for their actions to apprehend the suspect.”

Target also issued a statement after the shooting on Monday, saying:

“We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin and all those impacted by this tragedy. We are working with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene. In the days ahead, we will continue partnering with law enforcement and will be providing support resources, including grief counseling, to our team.”

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.