Buford bar shooting on West Sixth st in Austin, Texas leaves 3 dead, including male gunman and 14 injured at beer garden venue just on 2 a.m. Responding cops arrived at scene within 57 seconds where they were met with a man firing shots at them. No known motive.
Three people are dead including a gunman and 14 others injured in a mass shooting early Sunday at Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin, officials said.
The shooter, whose identity had yet to be revealed was taken out by responding officers with the Austin Police Department.
The shooting unfolded at the Buford’s bar, a popular beer garden in the city’s entertainment district in the 600 block of Rio Grande Street just before 2am on Sunday, officials said at a press conference.
Responding Austin police were met with gunman firing shots
When police arrived at the scene, they confronted a man with a gun and then ‘returned fire, killing the suspect,’ Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said.
Davis said 17 victims were located at the scene – 14 were taken to hospital, and three victims were pronounced dead on scene. Three of those hospitalized remain in critical condition.
Paramedics arrived on the scene just 57 seconds after the shooting began, KSAT reported citing officials.
Davis described the shooting as a ‘tragic, tragic incident’, and praised the bravery of responding officers who were ‘faced with an individual with a gun.’
Swift response at Buford Bar shooting in Austin saved countless lives
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also said he was ‘very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this… I don’t think there’s any question that it saved lives.’
A motive behind the shooting was not revealed.
Footage shared to social media showed a heavy police presence at the scene, as a shirtless individual lay dead in the street.
Separate footage showed partiers crouching in fear inside the bar as police arrived, before several more gunshots rang out – indicating the gunman opened fire again as law enforcement arrived before they were shot dead.
Moments before the shooting, revelers were enjoying live music on a packed dance floor, according to video posted to the beer garden’s social media.
Officials noted federal agents were helping with the investigation into the shooting and would share further details throughout the day.
Buford’s, a large night-life bar, can hold up to 700 guests and features a full bar and a variety of amenities, including a stage, basketball, skeeball and video games.
The establishment, which is open between 12 p.m. and 2 a.m. on the weekends, was gearing up to close for the night when the shooting broke out.
Just hours earlier, the bar shared photos of revelers on social media and urged people to ‘Come party like it’s your birthday.’
People who are searching for loved ones are asked to call the Austin Police Department Victim Services Unit at 512-974-5037.
