At least three people were killed and 14 others injured after a man opened fire at bar in Austin, Texas, in the early hours of Sunday morning, police said.
Officers responded to reports of a male suspect opening fire at Buford’s, a beer garden in the city, according to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis. The suspect shot at the officers as they arrived and they fired back, killing the suspect, Davis said.
Buford’s is in the downtown area, just 2 miles from the heart of Austin’s University of Texas campus and less than a mile from the Texas Capitol building.
Robert Luckritz, chief of the county’s emergency medical services, said three people were killed in the shooting. Another 14 were transported to hospitals, three of whom are in critical condition, he said.
Paramedics were already positioned in the entertainment district at the time of the shooting, according to Luckritz.
“We received the call at 1:59 a.m., and within 57 seconds the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients,” he said.
Police did not provide additional details, citing the preliminary nature of the investigation, and said updates would be provided later Sunday.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson credited both police and paramedics for moving quickly after first receiving reports of shots fired.
“I want to say … that I’m very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” Watson said. “I don’t think there’s any question that has saved lives.”
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