Three people have been killed and another 14 injured in a mass shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday morning that officers received a report that a shooting had occurred at Buford’s, a popular beer garden. She said the shooter was described as male.
Police said the shooter had a handgun and an assault rifle Austin American statesman.
Police were already in the area because the shooting took place in an area of the city popular for its nightlife.
“Officers immediately responded, came down East Sixth to West Sixth Street and were confronted by the individual with a gun, and three of our officers returned fire, killing the suspect,” Davis said during a news conference.
None of the victims have been identified at this time. The identity and motives of the shooter are also still unknown.
EMS Chief Robert Luckritz confirmed that three people were found dead at the scene of the shooting and fourteen others were injured. Three of the injured were admitted to regional hospitals in critical condition.
Luckritz said emergency responders arrived at the scene of the shooting less than a minute after receiving a call for help.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the quick response during the news conference.
“Our hearts go out to the people who are affected by this. And I want to reiterate my thanks to our public safety officials and officers who responded so quickly,” Watson said. “They certainly saved lives.”
The FBI is working with Austin police to investigate the shooting, according to local officials.
“This is a tragic, tragic incident,” Davis said. “Our federal partners are here, as well as others, and this will be a scene that will take several hours to process.”
Police said they were still investigating the scene on Sunday morning Austin American statesman. Some officers were reportedly gathering surveillance footage from the area of the shooting and gathering witness statements from those still at the scene.
A former Buford manager told the newspaper that none of the restaurant’s employees were injured in the attack.
The shooting happened around 2 a.m. in Austin’s entertainment district as many were packing up at bars and clubs and preparing to go home for the evening, police said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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