Frank Rondel
Three people have died and fourteen others were injured during a mass shooting early Sunday outside Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin, Texas, including the suspected shooter who was shot by responding officers, reports customreceipt.com via Statesman. Police Chief Lisa Davis stated that officers arriving at the scene immediately encountered the active gunman.
Chief Davis explained that three officers returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect. The quick police response was aided by their routine presence on East Sixth Street, the city’s busiest stretch of bars and restaurants, after the first emergency call was received at 1:59 a.m. Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Rob Luckritz confirmed that three of the injured were in critical condition after being transported to local hospitals.
Authorities have confirmed that the FBI is collaborating with the Austin Police Department in the investigation. As of early Sunday morning, law enforcement was processing a wide perimeter, reviewing security footage from surrounding establishments, and interviewing patrons and witnesses both inside and outside the bar.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson commended the first responders for their rapid action at the scene. “I’m very thankful for the speed with which our officials responded to this,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s any question: It saved lives.”
Employees of Buford’s were seen outside around 5 a.m., though they declined to give statements. Former manager Scott Yancy embraced a staff member and became visibly emotional, noting that no Buford’s staff had been injured. “I’m so glad everyone is OK,” Yancy said.
U.S. Representative Greg Casar, D-Austin, expressed his shock on social media, calling the incident “horrifying and heartbreaking” and urged prayers for those in critical condition. He emphasized the urgency of addressing gun violence in America. “Americans should be able to have fun at a bar without it turning into an unspeakable nightmare like this one — and I will redouble my efforts in Congress to prevent the next tragedy like this,” Casar wrote.
Jeremiah Carbajal, a concierge at Hanover Republic Square on West Fifth Street, described hearing sounds he likened to explosions twice as loud as fireworks, followed by screaming and crying. Marc White, who was at Mayfair Nightclub & Terrace a block and a half away from Buford’s, said he did not hear the shooting but was shocked to learn of the fatalities. “It’s terrifying to hear that people died,” White said. “You don’t expect this to happen on West Sixth Street.”
Anyone seeking information on family or friends affected by the shooting is urged to contact the Austin Police Department’s Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037.
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