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By Jesus Mesa and Gabe Whisnant
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A gunman opened fire Monday in the parking lot of a Target store in Austin, killing at least three people before stealing two vehicles in a getaway that ended with police using a Taser to apprehend him across the city, authorities said.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis identified the suspect as a man in his 30s with "a mental health history." Details about the shooting victims have not been released.
According to Davis, the suspect initially fled the scene in a stolen car, crashed it, and then stole another vehicle from a dealership. He was captured about 20 miles away in south Austin, where officers took him into custody, Davis said at a news conference.
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Why It Matters
The Austin shooting comes just days after another tragic case of gun violence in Texas involving a child. In Oak Cliff, a neighborhood in Dallas, police say a 3-year-old boy and a 37-year-old woman were shot and killed in what investigators believe was a double murder-suicide early Saturday morning.
As of August 11, the Gun Violence Archive reports 9,136 gun-related deaths in the United States this year, including homicides, murders, and accidental shootings, with an additional 16,753 people injured. The nonprofit has documented 269 mass shootings and 10 mass murders, along with 396 murder-suicide incidents.
What To Know
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services Chief Robert Luckritz said two people were pronounced dead at the scene and one person was taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead. He said another person was treated on the scene for unrelated injuries.
Initial reports from APD indicated that a child may have been involved in the shooting, but during an afternoon press conference, neither Davis nor Luckritz offered any update on that detail.
Authorities initially warned that the suspect was still at large, but at about 3:13 p.m. confirmed he was in custody. Austin police described the suspect as a white male wearing shorts and a Hawaiian-style floral shirt. Roads in the area were closed, and residents were warned not to approach him.
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The southbound MoPac frontage road in the 8000 block was shut down between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane for several hours as investigators processed the scene. The main lanes in both directions remained open.
"Our detectives are working diligently to piece together exactly what happened here today," Davis told Austin news station KVUE.
Monday's Target shooting comes amid growing concern among Austin leaders over public safety following a string of violent incidents this year. Chief Davis said the department's priority is supporting victims' families and ensuring a thorough investigation.
Police are asking witnesses or anyone with video from the Target parking lot to contact APD's homicide unit.
The Target shooting also comes just over two weeks after an attack at a Walmart store in Michigan. A man stabbed 11 people at the store in Traverse City on July 26 and has been charged with terrorism and multiple counts of attempted murder.
What People Are Saying
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davies told reporters on Monday: "We want to make sure those impacted get the support they need while we bring justice to the victims. This is a very sad day for Austin. It's a very sad day for us all and my condolences go out to the families.
Nadia Barbot, a volunteer with the Texas chapter of Moms Demand Action, said in a statement: "Gun violence in our state makes it so we all live with the fear of being shot — whether we're sending our kids to school or running our afternoon errands. We deserve to feel safe in our communities, and it's far past time our lawmakers step up to prioritize gun safety."
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a message on X, "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."
What Happens Next
Austin police said in a post on X that the scene is still active, and an investigation is ongoing.
Update 8/11/25, 5:59 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 8/11/25, 7:05 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and remarks.
Update 8/11/25, 7:51 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and remarks. The headline was updated after new information was released by police.
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