Authorities in Austin, Texas, said a man opened fire inside a downtown bar early Sunday and killed two people and injured 14 others, before being fatally shot by police.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the gunfire erupted in Buford’s Backyard Bar near the city’s Sixth Street party strip right around 2 a.m.
Three officers raced to confront the shooter and shot him dead less than a minute after the assailant began firing, Chief Davis said.
Of the 14 people wounded, three remain in critical condition, police said.
“Our hearts go out to the people that are victims of this and I want to reiterate my thanks to our public safety officers and officials that so rapidly were on the scene, they definitely saved lives,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said during a morning press conference.
The shooter, identified only as a man, carried out his rampage with a rifle and a handgun, according to the Austin-American Statesman.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is assisting with the investigation as federal agents probe potential links to terrorist activity.
