A fatal shooting occurred at a North Austin Target store on Monday, August 11, 2025, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including a child. The police responded promptly to the scene and apprehended the suspect in South Austin after a frantic attempt to flee in several stolen vehicles.
The Austin Police Department confirmed that officers were notified of reports of a shooting at the Target located at 8601 Research Boulevard, between Ohlen Road and Fairfield Drive, at approximately 2:15 p.m. CT. First responders, including Austin-Travis County EMS, arrived within four minutes of receiving the call.
Initially, Austin-Travis County EMS reported four patients; however, authorities subsequently clarified that three individuals had been shot, all of whom succumbed to their injuries. A fourth person received treatment for an unrelated issue, distinct from the gunfire.
Two of the victims were pronounced dead in the parking lot of the Target store. The third victim was transported to a local hospital, where they ultimately succumbed to their injuries, according to emergency medical services officials.
Police identified the suspect as a 32-year-old white male. Authorities stated that the individual had a documented history of mental health issues, a detail that emerged early in the ongoing investigation.
The suspect also “possesses a criminal record with us,” Chief Lisa Davis of the Austin Police Department noted during a news briefing. Specific details regarding his prior offenses have not been promptly released by the authorities.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the suspect’s name to the public. The motive behind the tragic shooting remains uncertain as the investigation continues to progress, with the police endeavoring to reconstruct the events that led to the violence.
Following the shooting, investigators reported that the suspect fled the Target in a vehicle stolen from the parking lot. One of the victims killed is presumed to have been the driver of this initially stolen car.
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After driving a short distance, the suspect crashed the initially stolen vehicle. This incident compelled him to abandon the wrecked car and seek an alternative means of escape, thereby escalating the pursuit.
He subsequently carjacked another vehicle, specifically a Volkswagen from a nearby dealership. This second stolen vehicle served as his mode of transportation as he endeavored to evade law enforcement.
The police successfully tracked the suspect to South Austin, approximately 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the shooting scene. The officers employed a Taser stun gun to subdue and apprehend him, taking him into custody without any further incident.
Chief Lisa Davis expressed profound sorrow over the incident, stating, “This is an extremely sorrowful day for Austin. It is an extremely sorrowful day for all of us.” She extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
Information regarding the identities of the victims has not been disclosed. Authorities are awaiting family notification prior to disclosing their names, a standard procedure in such sensitive cases.
Investigators have also not ascertained whether the suspect was acquainted with any of the victims. This aspect of the investigation is ongoing, as the police endeavor to establish any prior connections.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson addressed the community subsequent to the shooting, describing it as a “cowardly act of gun violence.” He conveyed his profound sympathy to those affected by the devastating event.
“This is a devastating situation, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families,” Mayor Watson stated in a social media post. He also expressed his gratitude for the swift response of the officers from the Austin Police Department and other first responders who took action to apprehend the suspect.
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The Target store is situated within a bustling shopping corridor in North Austin, surrounded by a variety of retail establishments and restaurants. The area is typically frequented by a multitude of shoppers, rendering the incident particularly unsettling.
Shoppers who were present at the time reported hearing gunshots and observing people swiftly fleeing from the store as police units commenced arriving on the scene. The sudden onset of chaos caused widespread panic.
Lonnie Lee, aged 22, recounted her visit to the Target just hours prior to the shooting. She and her sister had departed to have lunch, only to return to the area and discover the parking lot cordoned off and filled with law enforcement personnel. “We were extremely fortunate,” Lee remarked, acknowledging that “some individuals were not.”
Paul Smith, an employee at a Jiffy Lube that shares its parking lot with the Target, described how employees promptly took cover and secured the store doors upon realizing that a shooting was in progress. He observed people fleeing from their cars in a state of panic. “I had just returned from the Target approximately a minute before,” Smith added.
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Police promptly cordoned off the area surrounding the Target store on Research Boulevard. Officials urged the public to refrain from approaching the active crime scene until further notice, with safety as their top priority.
Owing to the comprehensive investigation, vehicles remaining in the Target parking lot were temporarily immobilized. Police advised shoppers to make arrangements for alternative transportation to return home and promised to provide updates on when their cars would be accessible for retrieval.
Target issued a statement expressing profound sorrow over the violence. “We are utterly devastated by the violence that transpired today at our store in Austin, Texas,” the company stated, underscoring its commitment to supporting those affected.
“Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, our team in Austin, and all those affected by this tragedy,” the statement continued. Target also confirmed that it would be providing support resources, including grief counseling, to its team members.
Police are continuing to examine surveillance footage from outside the Target store to obtain a clearer understanding of what transpired. The investigation aims to ascertain the sequence of events and any potential altercations that might have preceded the shooting.
The Austin Police Department is actively soliciting assistance from the public. Anyone who witnessed the shooting or observed the suspect during his flight is urged to call 911 or submit tips through Crime Stoppers.
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This tragic incident took place during the bustling back-to-school season in the Austin area, a period when numerous families often visit retail establishments. The timing adds an additional layer of grief to an already catastrophic event.
The community in Austin is struggling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence. While the police are working assiduously to uncover the complete circumstances and motives underlying the shooting, the city mourns the lives lost and conveys its condolences to the grieving families. The prompt response of law enforcement and first responders played a pivotal role in apprehending the suspect, averting further harm, and bringing a swift end to the immediate threat. As the investigation advances, the hope persists that clarity will emerge from this tragic day, enabling the community to commence the lengthy process of healing and comprehending the profound impact of such an event.
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“This is a tragic period,” Chief Davis reiterated, reflecting the solemn mood throughout Austin as residents come to grips with the violence that transpired in a venue of daily commerce. The continuous police endeavors aim to offer answers and a degree of closure to a community rocked by an act characterized by the mayor as “sickening” and “cowardly.”
