An argument in the Red River Cultural District in downtown Austin escalated into violence yesterday, ending in a shooting that seriously injured one individual. The incident took place at the intersecting streets of East Seventh and Red River.
Local comedian Matt the W, who is known to perform in the area, witnessed the altercation alongside other comics. "It was getting louder, confrontation, thinking that you know something's about to go down between the two," Matt the W told FOX San Antonio. His group observed the emerging threat, prompting immediate evasion as the situation intensified. "We saw the situation escalate. And we're like, okay, this looks pretty bad," he recounted.
The situation turned dire when a firearm came into play, causing panic and a rush to safety. "We all kind of just ran," Matt the W said according to his account with FOX San Antonio, noting their group fled at the sound of the gunshots. David Brand, a visitor from England, described the chaos unfolding despite being just nine days into his American sojourn. "It was scary, very scary," Brand said to News 4 San Antonio, shaken by his proximity to such violence.
After the incident, first responders from Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the scene around 1:20 a.m., quickly transporting the victim to the hospital with potentially serious injuries. Left at the scene was the victim as the alleged shooter fled by car, recounted by an onlooker. Speaking to FOX San Antonio, Brand painted a vivid picture: "I've just seen someone, like, getting in a car and driving up, but they on their way into the car, they went two more times, pop pop, and I was like, Oh my god." Expressing a sentiment that reverberated through the Austin community, Matt the W lamented the tragedy. "No one should be killed over an argument," he said.
No updates have been given regarding the status of the victim or the apprehension of a suspect. The Austin Police Department has confirmed that their Aggravated Assault Unit is actively investigating the case, as reported by News 4 San Antonio.
