Sunday night on East 12th Street ended with flashing lights instead of a quiet wind-down, after reports of gunfire near the intersection of East 12th Street and Chicon in East Austin brought out a large police response and a temporary road closure.
Austin police blocked traffic on East 12th between Chicon and Alamo while officers worked the scene, collecting evidence and talking to witnesses. Police at the scene told reporters there was no immediate danger to the public, but they held back on the finer details, declining to share information on what exactly happened or who might have been involved.
Officers confirmed the closure and ongoing investigation near the 12th and Chicon corridor, according to the Austin American-Statesman, which reported that authorities had not yet released information on any victims or arrests.
Online, word traveled fast. Social media users said they heard multiple shots in the area near Sam's BBQ, describing a heavy police presence and blocked streets in posts shared on Reddit. City business and licensing filings list Sam's BBQ as a long-standing East 12th establishment, according to City of Austin records.
Neighborhood context
The corner of East 12th and Chicon, often simply called "The Corner," has a long history as a hot spot for police activity and community intervention efforts aimed at curbing open-air drug markets and related disorder. Those efforts, including both enforcement and social-service strategies meant to reduce repeat offenses, have been documented over the years by The Austin Chronicle.
How to report
Police are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything connected to the incident to contact the Austin Police Department. For emergencies call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, residents can dial 3-1-1, call 512-974-2000 from outside Austin, or file a report through iReportAustin.com, as outlined on the Austin Police Department website.
Investigators also asked residents to steer clear of the immediate area while they continue processing the scene and said they will share more information when it becomes available. As of Sunday night, authorities had not released details about possible victims, suspects, or any arrests. This story will be updated if Austin police or other officials provide additional information.
