A gunman opened fire outside a Target store in Austin, Texas, on Monday, killing at least three people and injuring a fourth. The suspect, who fled the scene in a stolen car, is in police custody according to local officials.
The name of the shooter has not been released, but was identified as a white 32-year-old man with a history of mental health issues, said the Austin police chief, Lisa Davis.
An investigation into what unfolded in the Target parking lot and what may have contributed to this act of violence is still underway. Mental illness by itself is not a predictor of violence and only 5% shooting deaths in the US are committed by people with mental health disabilities, according to research from Columbia University’s Department of Psychiatry.
“This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families,” Kirk Watson, Austin’s mayor, said in a social media post. “While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence.”
The man, who authorities said had previously been placed on emergency detention holds due to his mental health, stole a succession of cars after the attack. The driver of the first car was reported to be one of the gunshot victims. After wrecking the first car, he stole another before being captured in south Austin after exiting the vehicle. He was tased by officers and was taken into custody, Davis said during a news conference.
Police were called at 2.15pm local time and arrived within four minutes, according to Davis. Responding officers found three people who had been fatally shot in the Target parking lot. An Austin-Travis county emergency services spokesperson said first responders treated one person for unrelated injuries.
“This is a very sad day for Austin. It’s a very sad day for us all and my condolences go out to the families,” she said. no information has been released about the victims and no motive has been identified.
The shooting came amid back-to-school shopping ahead of the upcoming school year.
“We are devastated by the violence that occurred today at our store in Austin, Texas,” a spokesperson for Target Corporate said in an emailed statement issued to the Guardian. The company added that they are working with law enforcement to support their investigation and will also provide grief counseling and other resources 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.”
