North Austin Target shooting: 3 dead, suspect detained: APD

AUSTIN, Texas - Three people are dead and a suspect has been detained after a shooting incident at a North Austin Target, says APD.

What we know:

APD says the incident happened at the Target at 8601 Research Boulevard, between Ohlen Road and Fairfield Drive.

APD Chief Lisa Davis held a press briefing to give more details about the incident.

APD was called to the Target for a hotshot call at 2:15 p.m. August 11. Officers arrived within minutes and found three people shot in the parking lot, says Chief Davis.

The suspect fled the scene in a stolen car, which APD currently believes he stole from one of the people killed.

After crashing that car, the suspect then went to a VW dealership and stole another car, says Davis, and was later found in South Austin and taken into custody by APD after a tasing.

The suspect is described as a white man, about 32 years old, with a mental health history. 

ATCEMS says two people were pronounced dead at the scene and one was taken to an area hospital where they were pronounced dead. A fourth person was treated on scene for unrelated injuries.

Road closures

APD shut down the 8000 block of the southbound frontage road of MoPac between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane during the initial response.

The main lanes, both northbound and southbound, of MoPac remained open. 

Active crime scene

APD says that due to the active crime scene, they would not be releasing vehicles in the parking lot to their owners until after the initial investigation is complete.

However, APD has since said vehicles can be released to their owners.

Viewer videos

Oscar Reyes sent FOX 7 Austin video of the scene:

Target statement

A Target spokesperson provided a statement to FOX 7 Austin following the shooting, saying:

"We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas. 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. We are working with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation and are grateful to the first responders who acted quickly at the scene. In the days ahead, we will continue partnering with law enforcement and will be providing support resources, including grief counseling, to our team."