One Halloween party in Austin, Texas takes a tragic turn after four people were shot. On Sunday, the Austin Police Department said they were alerted to a shooting inside a private residence at around 6:12 AM.
Shooter was identified to be wearing a Santa Claus costume
The shooting took place at a home in the 5500 block of Avenue F, located near East Koenig Lane. The gunman was identified as a white male who was wearing a Santa Claus costume.
Austin-Travis County EMS reported 'multiple' victims on scene
The gunman at the party had injured four people.
As it responded to the shooting, the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Service said that it was “treating multiple GSW (gunshot wound) patients” on the scene. Four ambulances were also deployed to the area.
Two of victims are said to be in critical condition
Following the incident, three of the victims were transported to the Dell Seton Medical Center. Two of the victims, a male and a female who are both in their 30’s, are said to be in critical condition. One victim, a female in her 30’s, sustained serious wounds but are not considered to be life-threatening. Meanwhile, according to a report from NBC, the fourth victim was hurt but had refused treatment. No further information regarding the victims have been released, so far.
Police arrested the suspect at another location on the same street as the shooting
Following the shooting, police had managed to arrest the suspect in a separate location. According to a report from KXAN, police received a report that the suspect was staying at a home located on the same street. The suspected gunman was then taken into custody without incident.
Police are yet to release the identity of the shooter
Charges against the gunman are expected to be filed once authorities have completed their investigation. Authorities are yet to release the identity of the suspect.
According to Austin Police Det. Lee Knouse, it appears that the victims did know the gunman. However, it is unclear if the suspect had been invited to the party.
The investigation into the said shooting remains open.
Another Halloween party shooting occurred just a couple of days earlier
The Halloween Party shooting in Austin occurred just a few days after a shooting at another Halloween party in New Jersey. According to a report from ABC 7, New Jersey police are currently looking for a gunman that wounded two people. The suspect reportedly fired three shots into partygoers gathered inside the Edison Hotel in Raritan Center just before 1 am on Friday. In this case, the gunman reportedly fled the scene with two other males.
