Three people were shot and killed outside a Target store in Austin, Texas, on Monday afternoon, police said. The suspect is now in custody after a wild chase across the city.
The shooting happened just after 2:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Target at 8601 Research Boulevard. When police arrived just four minutes later, they found three people shot.
Two were pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim was rushed to a hospital but later died. Four others were also hurt, according to authorities
“This is a very sad day for Austin,” Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a press conference. “This is a very sad day for us all.”
After the shooting, the suspect took off in a stolen car. He crashed that vehicle, then hijacked another one before officers tracked him down and arrested him in South Austin.
Chief Davis said the suspect is a 32-year-old man with a “mental health history.” Police have not confirmed a motive.
Earlier descriptions of the suspect said he was a white man wearing khaki shorts and a floral or Hawaiian shirt.
As officers secured the scene, shoppers were evacuated from the Target to a nearby PetSmart. Police urged people to stay away from the area.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials say more details will be released soon.
