Two individuals lost their lives, and six others, including two children, sustained injuries in a shooting that took place at the Round Rock Juneteenth Celebration in Texas on Saturday night, as per officials.
The incident unfolded around 10:50 p.m. when a fight erupted between two groups during the event. The altercation escalated when an individual produced a gun and started firing, resulting in multiple victims being shot. Sadly, two individuals who were not involved in the altercation passed away at the scene.
As of now, the police have not apprehended any suspects, and the individuals responsible for the shooting fled the scene. Authorities have not provided a description of the suspect. Following the shooting, four adults and two children were taken to nearby hospitals with potentially severe injuries, as reported by Austin-Travis County EMS.
Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks commended the swift response of police officers and firefighters in providing aid to the victims, emphasizing that their actions likely saved lives. He expressed his sorrow over the tragic turn of events during what was meant to be a joyous celebration of Juneteenth.
The festival, organized by a local nonprofit and the city government, was taking place in a 640-acre park outside of Austin and featured a free concert. DJ Hella Yella and rapper Paul Wall were scheduled to perform at the event. DJ Hella Yella shared a video of himself on stage moments before the shooting, highlighting that there were no signs of trouble near the performance area.
The shooting occurred in the vicinity of the vendors’ area, separate from where the concert was taking place. Paul Wall extended his prayers to the community of Round Rock in response to the tragic incident.
Chief Banks condemned the actions of the suspect, stressing that such senseless violence has a lasting impact on families and communities. He reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that they face severe consequences for their actions.
Despite the somber turn of events, Banks emphasized the importance of coming together as a community to celebrate significant occasions like Juneteenth. While the incident marred the festivities, he expressed hope that those responsible for the shooting would be apprehended and held accountable for their actions.