A Monday afternoon turned tragic when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of a Target store in North Austin, killing three people before fleeing the scene and allegedly committing multiple car hijackings. The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed the fatal shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. outside the Target store located at 8601 Research Boulevard.
Responding officers and Austin-Travis County EMS confirmed that two victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while a third victim died later at the hospital. Another individual was treated on site for unrelated injuries.
Witnesses described the moments following the shooting as terrifying and disorienting. Target employee Freyen Sagastumen recounted initially freezing in place, unsure whether the gunfire was real. Another bystander, Avarian Taylor, spoke of the trauma of witnessing bodies on the ground and police flooding the area:
"It was just chaos... a lot of mental strain, having to see dead bodies and blood and guns—it's a lot."
As the scene unfolded, Austin Fire Department, Austin ISD Police, and other law enforcement agencies responded to the call.
Police believe the suspect hijacked a car in the Target parking lot shortly after the shooting. Tragically, one of the victims may have been the driver of that stolen vehicle. The suspect crashed the car 1.5 miles away at an office complex near MoPac and Anderson Lane, then allegedly hijacked a second vehicle.
The pursuit ended when officers tracked the suspect to the 2400 block of La Casa Drive in South Austin. At 3:34 p.m., police tased and detained the suspect, identified as a 32-year-old White male with a history of mental illness and a prior criminal record.
Police shut down nearby roads and held customers and staff inside Target until late into the evening. Vehicles in the lot were not released until around 10 p.m., as the area remained an active crime scene.
As of now, authorities have not identified a clear motive. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated:
"We don't know if there was an altercation or what... at this point, we're looking at video and evidence."
The tragedy comes amid ongoing conversations nationwide about the intersection of mental health, firearm access, and public safety.
For the victims’ families, the aftermath of this horrific event is just beginning. In incidents involving public mass shootings, legal questions often arise about security failures, gun access, mental health red flags, and whether more could have been done to prevent the violence.
When a shooting occurs on commercial property, such as a big-box retail store, there may be grounds to pursue civil claims under negligent security laws. Property owners are obligated to take reasonable steps to protect patrons from foreseeable criminal acts—including adequate surveillance, security personnel, and lighting.
Victims and their families may also consider legal action against other potentially responsible parties, including:
Property managers or security contractors
Gun sellers (in certain liability cases)
State or local agencies if failures in mental health intervention occurred
Third-party businesses if their negligence contributed to the incident
Through a civil lawsuit, victims can seek compensation for:
Funeral and burial expenses
Emotional trauma
Loss of companionship
Medical costs
Lost income
Pain and suffering
At Haggard Crime Victim Attorney, a division of The Haggard Law Firm, we have decades of experience representing victims and their families in high-profile shooting and violent crime cases. We understand the deep emotional and financial impact these tragedies cause, and we are committed to pursuing justice and accountability in every case.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a shooting incident in Texas or anywhere in the United States, our team is here to help. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your legal options and guide you through this difficult time.
Contact us today to speak with an experienced attorney and begin the path toward healing and justice.
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