Crime & Public Safety

1 dead, 3 hurt in stabbing in downtown Austin, Texas

Attack appears random; police confirm 1 suspect taken into custody
Paramedics transport a stabbing victim as Austin Police secure the area of a shopping complex Friday in Austin, Texas.
Paramedics transport a stabbing victim as Austin Police secure the area of a shopping complex Friday in Austin, Texas.
By ArLuther Lee
Jan 3, 2020

One person was reportedly killed and three others injured Friday in a stabbing incident at a shopping complex in downtown Austin, Texas, according to emergency officials and multiple news reports.

Austin police confirmed that a lone suspect was taken into custody.

The person arrested has not yet been identified.

No other arrests appear to be forthcoming, officials said.

The attack happened shortly after 8 a.m. and appeared to be random, according to local news reports.

Reports said the perpetrator was also injured during the attack.

Paramedics perform CPR Friday on a stabbing victim in Austin, Texas.
Paramedics perform CPR Friday on a stabbing victim in Austin, Texas.

Emergency dispatchers said the suspect was arrested after he jumped less than 10 feet from the roof of a building in the area.

Austin station KVUE reported that civilians first tried to detain the suspect outside the business, but he managed to get away. Eyewitnesses say the man then ran inside the establishment and began the attack.

Four people were being treated at the scene or transported to area hospitals, according to Travis County EMS.

News station KWWL, the NBC affiliate in Austin, reported that a man in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene, and that a man in his 50s was rushed to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police remained on the scene as the investigation continued and urged the public to avoid the area.

According to reports, the attack occurred in the 500 block of South Congress Avenue and West Riverside Drive in downtown Austin.

— This is a developing story. Please return to AJC.com for updates.

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ArLuther Lee

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