News / Society

Mass shooting in busy entertainment district in Austin leaves many wounded

Saturday, 12 June 2021 1:44 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 12 June 2021 2:35 PM ]

This video capture image shows the crime scene at a shooting in downtown Austin, Texas, June 12, 2021. (by Reuters)

A mass shooting in a busy entertainment district in the Texan city of Austin has left many people wounded, two in critical condition.

"I'm happy to report no one has died," interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon told reporters near the scene of the incident which is a popular area filled with bars and restaurants.

However, Chacon noted that among the victims of the incident there were "two patients in critical condition."

"We have a total of 11 people transported to one hospital, 1 was transported to a different hospital and 1 person reported to an Urgent Care Clinic. So there is a total of 13 shooting victims," he added.

The interim chief said the perpetrator(s) behind the shooting remained at large and had not been immediately apprehended.

"At this time, this appears to be an isolated incident," Austin Police Department (APD) said in a statement later on Saturday, seeking information in downtown Austin shooting."The suspect(s) remains at-large. It is unknown if there is one, or multiple suspects involved."

"On Saturday, June 12, 2021, at 1:24 a.m., Austin police responded to multiple shots fired near the 400 block of E. 6th Street. At that time, a large crowd of people began to disperse in the area. Officers initially located several victims who had sustained gunshot wounds and were injured," it said.

ADP said the investigation is ongoing.

"Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident" to report to police, ADP said in a news release posted on Twitter of Saturday.

APD Seeking Information in Downtown Austin Shooting - https://t.co/i85vt3zXwS pic.twitter.com/MBzAX3S8ay
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) June 12, 2021

Nearly 20,000 Americans died from gun violence in 2020.

US President Joe Biden says gun violence has turned into an "epidemic" in the country.