Two dead and several injured in June 10 shooting in Round Rock

Lina Portman3 weeks ago

0 4 minutes read

When Onnesha Williams heard gunshots during a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock on Saturday, she thought they were firecrackers.

But then she heard people screaming and people in the vendor area of the event started running. Williams, a member of the Black Families of Hutto, was near the parking lot when the incident took place.

Two people were killed and 14 bystanders were injured in the shooting at the event at Old Settlers Park, 1371 Harrell Parkway. Round Rock police were still searching for a shooter and had not arrested anyone as of Sunday evening.

The shooting began at 10:50 p.m. between two groups at the event, a news release from the Round Rock Police Department said.

The people directly involved in the shooting immediately fled, the statement said. The people killed, whose names have not been released, were not part of the altercation, police said.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services took four adults and two children, all with possible serious injuries, to the hospital, according to an article published on X by the agency.

The free two-day Juneteenth celebration, held at Lakeview Pavilion and the festival area at Old Settlers Park, was sponsored by a nonprofit called The Voice Inc. and the Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department . Thousands of people attended the event, although Police Chief Allen Banks said Sunday he did not know the exact number of participants. The Voice Inc. did not respond to a request for comment Sunday.

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The 14 people taken to the hospital ranged in age from 10 to 52, Banks said at a news conference Sunday evening. Most of them were released from the hospital as of Sunday evening, and the rest were in stable condition and expected to be released “in the coming days,” Banks said.

Banks declined to release the names of the two people who died, saying Round Rock police detectives were still talking to the victims' families. Banks said he would release their names Monday.

Banks said an investigation into the cause of the shooting was underway.

He said police had an “operational plan” for the June 19 event because Old Settlers Park is an open park with no security point. More than 22 law enforcement personnel were assigned to the event, as well as members of the fire and emergency medical services, Banks said. Officers and volunteers were spread throughout the park, and some officers also monitored the crowds from surveillance towers.

“At the end of the day, no matter how much security we had, we had someone who decided to take matters into his own hands and kill two people and senselessly injure 14 others,” said Banks. “It’s not about the police. It’s about people who are careless and don’t care about other people’s lives.”

Community members reflect on shooting

The celebration was peaceful, Williams said: Families were relaxing and enjoying food, children were running around.

“I’m a little shocked and sad,” she said. “I can't help but think of the people who lost their lives, the people who were injured and all the people who saw this. In all the years I have attended Round Rock events, this has never happened.

Police stopped all cars leaving the event to search them, Williams said.

Omega Psi Phi, a service fraternity, annually gives a presentation on stage during the celebration to award scholarships to high school students, said Wayne Williams, president of the organization. He was present at the celebration Saturday but declined to comment on the shooting, saying the incident was still under investigation.

“It’s really sad that such a big celebration ended this way this year,” he said. “This makes it clear to us that we have work to do as a community as a whole. »

He said he had attended the Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock frequently in the past, with no problems occurring. He called the celebration “a loving and safe event where family and community come to have a good time and different vendors come to display what they have to offer.”

Banks said police officers and members of the Round Rock Fire Department immediately responded and provided medical aid to the victims, according to the news release.

“It’s unfortunate that we’re here celebrating a wonderful event and a tragedy occurs,” Banks said. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims. My condolences go to the families of the deceased.

Banks thanked the Williamson County Sheriff's Office, the FBI and EMS responders from Williamson and Travis counties for their support during the initial response to the incident, the release said.

Trista Moxley, a spokeswoman for the FBI's San Antonio division, confirmed that the FBI is working with and “providing resources, support and personnel” to the Round Rock Police Department, which is leading the investigation.

“Our hearts go out to those who were affected by this senseless act of violence and loss of life last night,” Moxley said in a statement. “We will continue to assist wherever possible as law enforcement works together to bring these subjects to justice.”

In a statement, Round Rock Mayor Craig Morgan denounced the shooting and said the community supports the victims.

“To the families who are grieving the loss of loved ones, know that our entire community is grieving with you,” Morgan said. “We are a community that values safety, celebration and unity, and we are committed to ensuring our community heals together through this event. We will not let this incident define us, and we will not let either the more fear takes over.”

Morgan, who joined Banks at Sunday's news conference about the shooting, said those who need crisis and mental health support can reach the department's crisis response unit Round Rock Fire Department from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Friday, June 21 at 512-218-5501.

Round Rock police search for shooter

Banks said the man police believe was the shooter was 19 or 20 years old and 5 feet 7 inches tall, had short dreadlocks and was last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt.

Banks said anyone coming into contact with the man should contact police immediately and not approach the man, who is believed to be “armed and dangerous.”

Anyone with video or information about the incident can call police at 512-218-5500.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is offering a $5,000 reward for the man's arrest.

Community members reflect on shooting

Round Rock police search for shooter

Lina Portman

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