Active shooter kills TWO and injures up to five at Austin Target store: Live updates

By LAURA PARNABY, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Updated: 17:00 EDT, 11 August 2025

At least two people have died after a gunman opened fire at a Target parking lot in Austin on Monday afternoon, and the suspect has been detained.

The unnamed attacker, who was described as white and wearing a Hawaiian shirt, fired at shoppers at the store on Research Boulevard in Texas just before 3pm ET.

Austin Police Department said the gunman was detained sometime before 3.15pm, and that three to five people were shot in total, including one child.

‘APD Officers are responding to a shooting incident at the Target located at 8601 Research Boulevard,’ the department said earlier on Monday.

‘The suspect is still at large. The suspect is described as a White male. Possibly wearing khaki shorts, Hawaiian/floral shirt.

‘DO NOT APPROACH. For your safety avoid the area.’

They later told KVUE that the suspect had been detained. He has not bee named and a motive has not been disclosed.

Two people have died in the Target parking lot shooting in Austin, Texas

Austin Police Department told KVUE that three to five people were shot, including one child.

The department added that two of the victims have been confirmed dead.

Further details have not been released pending notification of their families.

Suspect’s motive is currently unknown

Police have not yet disclosed the suspected motive of the gunman, who has been in custody for almost an hour. He also has not yet been named.

Gunman tried to flee in stolen car, police say

Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said the suspect carjacked a vehicle in the Target parking lot and fled moments after the shooting, according to KVUE.

Police quickly tracked him down and detained him. It’s unclear how far he got before he was snared.

Briefing from authorities will start imminently

Police said: ‘Media staging area is in front of the Advance Auto Parts. Briefing time 3:45 p.m.’

Suspect is a white man, police say

Austin Police Department gave a physical description of the suspect.

They said he is a white man, wearing khaki shorts.

He has been detained, according to authorities.

Emergency services are seen outside Target

Photos from the scene showed a police presence following the shooting situation.

Two people were killed and multiple others were injured.

14991137 Active shooter wearing Hawaiian shirt guns down four at Target in Austin Texas Target at 8601 Research Boulevard on August 11, 2025

Multiple roads closed as shooter situation is ongoing

Multiple roads have been closed in the vicinity of the Target, where the active shooter started raining bullets on Monday afternoon.

‘Road closures – 8000 block of MoPac SB Frontage shut down between Executive Center Drive and Anderson Lane. Main lanes of MoPac NB and SB remain open. Avoid the area,’ police said.

Austin Police say gunman was wearing Hawaiian shirt

Police in Austin warned the public to stay away during the active shooter situation.

They gave a description of the man who they say started shooting at the Target.

He is a white man wearing a Hawaiian or floral shirt, cops said.