Austin, TX – A man in his 30s opened fire Monday afternoon in the parking lot of a Target store in Austin, killing two adults and a child before stealing two vehicles and leading police on a citywide pursuit, according to authorities.
The incident began around 2:15 p.m. at the Target on Austin’s north side. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers arrived to find three people suffering from gunshot wounds. An adult and a child were pronounced dead at the scene, while another adult died later at a hospital.
Suspect’s Actions and Capture
Police say the shooter first fled the scene in a stolen car belonging to one of the victims. After crashing that vehicle, he stole another car from a dealership. The pursuit ended roughly 20 miles away in south Austin, where officers used a Taser to detain him.
Chief Davis noted the suspect has a mental health history and that investigators are still working to determine his motive as reported.
Witness Accounts and Scene Response
Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services reported a fourth person was treated for a minor medical issue unrelated to the shooting.
Witnesses described panic and chaos in the parking lot as shoppers ran for cover. Lonnie Lee, 22, said she had visited the store just hours before and returned to find the area swarming with police. “We got really, really lucky,” Lee said. “And some people didn’t.”
Employees at a nearby Jiffy Lube, which shares the parking lot with Target, locked their doors and sheltered inside. Paul Smith, an employee, said he saw people fleeing their cars in fear. “I had just gotten back from the Target like a minute before,” he recalled.
Community Response
Target released a statement expressing that they were “devastated” by the incident and would provide grief counseling to employees.
“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,” the statement read.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson condemned the violence, calling it “a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence” in a message posted on X.
Public Safety and Mental Health Concerns
Incidents like this raise ongoing concerns about the intersection of mental health crises and access to firearms. Experts stress the importance of early intervention, crisis support systems, and red flag laws to prevent individuals showing signs of instability from obtaining weapons.
Community leaders urge residents to remain vigilant in public spaces and to report suspicious behavior immediately.
What steps do you think Austin should take to address gun violence and mental health challenges in the community? Join the conversation today in the comment section below.
