Three people are dead and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting early Sunday outside Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin, officials said. Among the dead was the suspected gunman who was shot by officers.
Police Chief Lisa Davis said that when officers arrived, they found an active shooter and confronted him.
“Three of our officers returned fire, killing the suspect,” Davis said during a news conference Sunday morning.
Davis said police were able to respond promptly due to their presence on East Sixth Street, the city’s busiest strip of bars and restaurants. The first call reporting the shooting came in at 1:59 a.m.
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Rob Luckritz said three of the 14 individuals taken to hospitals were in critical condition.
The FBI has joined the Austin Police Department in the investigation into the shooting, authorities confirmed. As of 5:30 a.m., police were processing an expansive scene, including trying to collect security video in the area and talking to any patrons or witnesses inside and outside the bar.
Mayor Kirk Watson praised first responders for their prompt arrival 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.”
A few Buford’s employees were gathered outside at 5 a.m. but declined to comment. A former manager, Scott Yancy, hugged one of the workers and burst out in tears.
Yancy said no one at Buford’s had been injured.
“I’m so glad everyone is OK,” Yancy said.
Jeremiah Carbajal, a concierge at Hanover Republic Square on West Fifth Street, said he heard what sounded like something twice as powerful as fireworks going off.
“I heard screaming and yelling and crying,” he said.
Anyone searching for loved ones related to the shooting is asked to call the Austin police Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037.
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
This story has been corrected to say there were 14 injuries.
