Random south Austin shootings investigated

Austin police said on May 18 that three teenage suspects were arrested after a weekend string of shootings, vehicle thefts and related crimes across South and East Austin. The incidents unfolded between Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, according to an Austin Police Department release. Four people were injured, multiple apartment buildings and vehicles were struck, and gunfire also hit two Austin Fire Department stations, local news outlets and police said. Investigators said they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public tied to the shootings. ### How many shootings are police linking to the case? Austin police said they are investigating 12 separate shooting incidents connected to the weekend spree. The department said the crimes were part of a broader sequence that also included stolen vehicles and other violent offenses. The May 17 public alert described the shootings as appearing random, with “no specific motive or location(s)” identified at that stage. (austintexas.gov) By May 18, investigators said the incidents appeared to be a mix of random and targeted shootings, with some victims known to the suspects and others showing no known connection. ### Who is in custody, and what charges are expected? Austin police identified one suspect as Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, 17, and said two other suspects are juveniles ages 16 and 15 whose identities are not being released under Texas law. (austintexas.gov) Police said all three are in custody. The 17-year-old may be publicly identified because he has reached the age of criminal responsibility under Texas law, APD said. (austintexas.gov) Police said formal charges under review include multiple counts tied to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, deadly conduct, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest and theft of a firearm. (austintexas.gov) ### What do police say happened over the weekend? APD said the sequence began at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, with a report of a stolen firearm from a business at 321 W. Ben White Boulevard. Investigators said surveillance footage identified a dark-colored Hyundai Sonata, which police later determined had itself been stolen from the Social Apartments at 1817 E. Oltorf Drive. (austintexas.gov) The first confirmed shooting was reported at 3:58 p.m. in the 10 block of Yucca Drive, where officers found shell casings and bullet damage to a trailer residence, police said. A second shooting followed at 4:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of Parker Lane at the Whisper Hollow apartment complex, where vehicles and an occupied apartment were hit, including rooms occupied by adults and young children, APD said. No injuries were reported at either location. (austintexas.gov) Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday that the suspects were believed to have stolen more than four vehicles and switched cars multiple times during the spree. Local outlets reported the shootings continued into Sunday morning and included gunfire at buildings and fire stations. ### How were the suspects found? Manor Police said officers arrested the third suspect around 9:30 p.m. (austintexas.gov) Sunday near FM 973 and U.S. Highway 290 after 911 callers reported a suspicious person at a gas station about a mile from where the suspects’ vehicle had crashed. Two other suspects had been detained earlier Sunday, according to Austin and Manor police. (fox7austin.com) The Manor Police Department said license plate readers helped officers locate the suspect vehicle. The search involved nearly 200 officers from local and state agencies, including SWAT, air support and canine units, KXAN reported, citing Manor police. ### What are investigators and city officials saying now? APD said additional charges could be filed as investigators continue reviewing ballistic evidence, surveillance footage, witness statements and recovered evidence. (kxan.com) Police said they do not believe there is an ongoing public threat connected to these incidents. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson and Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday that license plate readers could have helped the search. (kxan.com) Watson said in a statement Monday, cited by KXAN, that Austin now has a framework to move forward on the technology after the City Council passed the TRUST Act in April. Austin police asked anyone with information to contact the Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5177 or submit anonymous tips through Capital Area Crime Stoppers. (austintexas.gov) APD said a reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest, and the department said its investigation remains ongoing. (austintexas.gov) (kxan.com)