Police Hunt White Nissan in Austin Shootings

Austin police on Sunday asked the public to help identify suspects tied to a string of shootings reported across the city over the weekend, saying the attacks appeared random and had no known motive. Police said at least 10 shootings were reported late Saturday and Sunday, leaving four people wounded but no fatalities. Two teenage suspects were stopped Sunday afternoon and taken to a juvenile detention center, according to police, and a third suspect who fled was later apprehended by Manor police. The Austin Police Department said the investigation remained active on May 17 and urged residents not to approach anyone believed to be involved. ### How did the police search unfold on Sunday? Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday that the shootings stretched across multiple locations and prompted a broad search for suspects and vehicles. Police issued a shelter-in-place order for an area bounded by East Parmer Lane, Dessau Road, East Howard Lane and Cameron Road before lifting it later in the afternoon, according to local reports and police statements. ABC News reported that two suspects, ages 15 and 17, were detained during a traffic stop Sunday afternoon. A third suspect ran from the vehicle and was later taken into custody after a search involving nearby law enforcement agencies, the outlet reported, citing police. KUT reported that police were investigating as many as 12 incidents, including shootings that struck homes and two fire stations, as well as several vehicle thefts connected to the suspects. (abcnews.com) Austin officials said four people were injured across the weekend shootings. ### What did police say about the pattern of the shootings? (abcnews.com) The Austin Police Department said in a May 17 release that there was “no specific motive or location” in the shootings and that they appeared random. Chief Davis called the attacks “senseless,” according to ABC News. One victim was a man walking his dog Sunday morning who was shot in the back, ABC News reported, citing Davis. (kut.org) Other locations included apartment buildings, houses and firehouses, according to the same report. Spectrum News reported that police initially said one suspect remained at large even after two arrests on Sunday, underscoring how quickly the search shifted as officers worked through reports from multiple scenes. (austintexas.gov) By Sunday evening, three suspects were in custody, according to police statements carried by several outlets. (abcnews.com) ### Where does the white Nissan Sentra fit into this? Austin police had separately asked for help on May 12 in identifying suspects in an aggravated assault investigation tied to an April 2 shooting in the 5300 block of King Henry Drive. In that case, officers responded at 10:48 p.m. to reports of shots fired and found multiple victims and several homes hit by gunfire, though no injuries were reported. Detectives said witnesses saw a white sedan drive through the neighborhood, return and open fire on people gathered outside a residence. (spectrumlocalnews.com) APD detectives said they believed that vehicle was a white 2019 Nissan Sentra and that as many as five people may have been inside. At least two suspects either got out of the car or leaned out to shoot, police said, and the suspects were described as Black males wearing ski masks. (austintexas.gov) Austin police also said that April 2 shooting may be connected to a homicide about two hours later in the 10900 block of Brazoria Lane. Fox 7 Austin, citing police, identified the homicide victim as Joshua Williams. ### Are police saying the weekend shootings and the Nissan case are the same investigation? (austintexas.gov) Austin police have not publicly stated in the materials reviewed that the white Nissan Sentra from the April 2 case was the same vehicle used in the May 16-17 weekend shootings. The May 17 department release on the weekend shootings described a different suspect vehicle: a 2012 Hyundai Sonata, black or dark blue in color, with a broken right passenger window. (austintexas.gov) KXAN reported Sunday that police were seeking help finding a suspect connected to the weekend shootings before the arrests were announced. The department’s public release listed the suspect vehicle details and asked anyone who knew the whereabouts of the suspects or vehicle to call 9-1-1. ### What are police asking the public to do now? (austintexas.gov) Austin police said anyone with information about the weekend shootings should contact the Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5177, while tips in the April 2 Nissan Sentra case should go to the unit at 512-974-5245. The department also said anonymous tips can be submitted through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. (kxan.com) A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest in the April 2 shooting case, police said. As of May 18, Austin police had three teenage suspects in custody in the weekend shootings and said the broader investigation was continuing. (austintexas.gov) (austintexas.gov)