Austin police are searching for a suspect after three shootings in Austin on Saturday night and Sunday morning, incidents investigators say may be connected and aimed at fire stations.
The first shooting happened at about 9 p.m. Saturday in the 6700 block of Wentworth Drive in east Austin, where police said the suspect was firing toward Fire Station 26. About 11 hours later, at around 8 a.m. Sunday, a male victim was shot one time near the intersection of Janes Ranch Road and Ballydawn Drive in southeast Austin and was taken to a south Austin hospital. Police said he remains in serious but stable condition.
The third shooting was reported at about 10:50 a.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of Montebello Road in southwest Austin near Rollingwood. In that case, APD said the suspect fired toward Fire Station 32. Investigators are treating all three incidents as a series of shootings with a similar modus operandi.
Police said the shootings appear to be random, even as the suspect appears to be targeting fire stations. The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic male in his late teens, and officers said he may be driving a White KIA Optima.
The search is now centered on stopping whoever is responsible before another station or bystander is hit. Residents who see anything suspicious or who may know the suspect’s whereabouts or vehicle are being told to call 911 immediately. Tips can also be sent to APD’s Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5177 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or at 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.
APD said the investigation is ongoing.
