Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tragic update from Round Rock, Texas, where a Juneteenth celebration turned into a nightmare. On Saturday night, around 10:50 p.m., a shooting at the Round Rock Juneteenth Festival at Old Settler's Park claimed the lives of two people and left several others wounded. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning.
Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks held a press briefing to address the incident.
His words resonated with the sorrow and frustration many are feeling: "It breaks your heart for a family that was coming out to enjoy their evening, and now their life is forever changed as a result of somebody who could care less about somebody else's life. That's so disappointing. Our goal is to put those folks behind bars and our goal is to get them put away for life."
Folks, the scene was chaotic. As the festival was in full swing, two groups began fighting near the vendor area. This altercation escalated quickly, and at least one person pulled out a gun and started shooting. It was a terrifying moment for everyone present.
Emergency response teams were swift in their actions. At least six people, including four adults and two children, were rushed to local trauma facilities with potentially serious injuries, according to the Austin-Travis County EMS. Police officers and firefighters on the scene acted heroically, applying tourniquets and performing CPR on the wounded, undoubtedly saving lives in the process.
Despite the immediate response, the search for the suspect or suspects continues. Chief Banks mentioned that there are conflicting descriptions of the suspect, making the investigation more challenging. As of now, no clear profile of the shooter has been released, leaving the community anxious for answers.
In response to this tragic event, activities scheduled for Sunday morning at Old Settler's Park have been canceled. However, there is a silver lining as Chief Banks assured the public that the park will reopen in the afternoon for planned Father’s Day events. It’s a small step towards normalcy in the wake of such violence.
As we await further details and hope for justice, the focus remains on the victims and their families. This heartbreaking event underscores the pressing need for community safety and the impact of senseless violence. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. Stay safe, and let’s hope for a swift resolution and healing for all those involved.