New Year’s Eve Violence Mars Austin Area Celebrations
The Austin area rang in 2026 with tragedy as law enforcement responded to multiple violent incidents that left one person dead and five juveniles wounded during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
Austin’s first homicide of the year occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. at a strip mall near North Lamar Boulevard and West Anderson Lane, where a young adult was found with chest trauma at a New Year’s Eve party that was advertised in a social media post.
Officers attempted CPR, but the victim was pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. A security camera that might have captured the incident was disconnected, according to the business owner. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities yet to announce any arrests.
Just before midnight in nearby Round Rock, five juveniles sustained gunshot wounds during a party at the Platinum Event Center on Chisholm Trail Road when a physical altercation erupted around 11:30 p.m.
Three victims were from Pflugerville and two from Austin, all transported to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigators believe the party involved underage drinking and was promoted through a viral social media flyer. No suspects are in custody, though authorities consider the incident isolated with no ongoing public threat.
First responders across the region worked through the night managing the violence alongside planned New Year’s festivities. Austin Police, Austin Fire, and Austin-Travis County EMS had deployed in partnership for the city’s official celebration at Auditorium Shores, which drew thousands of attendees for concerts and fireworks. The coordination of emergency services became even more critical as officers and paramedics responded to these unexpected violent incidents.
The Austin Police Department is requesting anyone with information about either case to come forward. Detective Brian Heldman is handling the Round Rock investigation and can be reached at bheldman@roundrocktexas.gov or 512-688-7966.
San Antonio didn’t escape New Year’s violence, either.
One man was killed on New Year’s Day after an argument at a bar escalated into a deadly shooting. (My San Antonio)
New FBI data shows the Austin area saw its fewest number of homicides since 2020.
PODCAST
KXAN’s Avery Travis digs into cold cases around Central Texas, including interviews with law enforcement, victims’ families and community members.
Two people were transported after being shot in the early hours of New Year’s Day in Southeast Austin.
Little information is known about the incident, but officials stated that two people were injured and no one is in custody at this time, but Austin police say the shooting occurred at 10505 S IH 35 at around 1:15 a.m. Thursday. (CBS Austin)
The number of fatal car crashes in the ATX in 2025 remained about the same as the year before.
A motorist was injured Thursday morning on South Lamar.
A pilot was injured on Wednesday afternoon after an incident at the Burnet Municipal Airport.
After years of construction, the long-awaited northbound U.S. 183 express lanes are set to open today. The upgrades include new ramps and extra lanes.
SH 130 is now known as a ‘Smart Corridor’ and is preparing for a launch this month.
CapMetro released ridership numbers for 2025.
No one was injured after a house fire occurred on Zenyatta Dr. in Mustang Ridge early New Year’s Day. (CBS Austin)
The City of Austin says explosive growth in power-hungry data centers could drive up utility rates and strain water and energy systems. (Austin American-Statesman)
PODCAST
Austin really does have it all: stage shows and live music, scenic hiking trails, and a food scene that never stops surprising. The variety the city has to offer is next level, and this month, the mix is especially on point. Host Nikki DaVaughn is joined by executive producer Eva Ruth Moravec and guest J. Summar to guide you through the plates, places, and performances worth checking out right now. From Austin’s Free Week to Comadre Panaderia’s Earl Grey concha, we’re serving up a wide-ranging look at what to see, what to eat, and where to be around Austin this month.
Thousands of people jumped into Barton Springs Pool for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. It’s a time-honored tradition to wash off the old and dive into the new year.
WEATHER
THURSDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
Today looks to be a record breaker.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Windy conditions and low humidity are increasing the risk of fire danger today in the Texas Hill Country.
The United States Postal Service is updating its postmark process. It could impact how you pay bills, taxes, send time-sensitive mail and even vote.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is weighing how to implement two new state laws that could tighten regulations on concrete batch plants. Concrete batch plants are where materials like cement, water, sand and rocks are combined and mixed together. It’s then poured into trucks and transported to nearby construction projects. (Houston Public Media)
Texas’ soon-to-be newest state park, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, will open to the public soon, but some lucky visitors got a sneak peek yesterday.
A teen burglary suspect was shot and killed early Wednesday morning after being confronted by a homeowner in Texarkana, according to police. (FOX 7 Austin)
A Fort Worth business owner has admitted to orchestrating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that left dozens of North Texas homeowners with unfinished houses and remodeling projects. (KVUE-TV)
South Texas authorities are looking for a Brooks County man who allegedly made threats against law enforcement.
Consumers Supply Distributing, LLC, announced a recall of bagged dog biscuits due to potential salmonella contamination, which poses a health risk to pets and people. The recall affects seven states, including Texas.
A recent New York Times project documented small but significant efforts to solve climate and environmental problems in every U.S. state, including Texas, saying the Lone Star State is “a hub of innovation in the expanding world of what’s considered next-generation geothermal power”.
As the U.S. government reverses course on renewable energy projects and other policies related to climate change, environmental solutions may seem out of reach. But they’re happening all over the country.
- Burrows and Patrick Harmony
- Abbott Finally Gets School Choice Across the Line
- Hemp Happenings
- Bail Reform Finally Gets Across the Line
- Legislature Passes Another Abortion Restriction and Bathroom Bill
- Central Texas Flood Fallout
- Mid-Decade Redistricting
- Celina ISD Bombshell
- Special Election Surprise
- Lina Hidalgo Bows Out
As the TribCast team takes a holiday break, we bring you this recording from The Texas Tribune Festival of interviews with three Republican candidates for statewide office.
(Episode from December 30, 2025)
Former Uvalde CISD Officer Adrian Gonzales was indicted last year on 29 felony counts of abandoning or endangering a child in connection to the 2022 mass shooting tragedy at Robb Elementary. He is scheduled to face jury selection in the case.
SPORTS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The Texas Tech Red Raiders saw their 2025 season end on an unceremonious note.
Ducks quarterback Dante Moore threw for 234 yards and running back Jordon Davison rushed for two touchdowns as No. 5 Oregon shut out No. 4 Texas Tech 23-0 in the Orange Bowl. Oregon (13-1), will play either No. 1 Indiana or No. 9 Alabama in the Peach Bowl — a CFP semifinal — on January 9. (Yahoo! Sports)
News from the Texas Longhorns…
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: The Texas Longhorns begin their SEC schedule tomorrow at Moody Center.
NBA: No sleep ’til Brooklyn.
Kevin Durant had 22 points and a season-high 11 assists, Amen Thompson scored 23 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Brooklyn Nets 120-96 on Thursday night for their fourth straight victory. (Yahoo! Sports)
Tyrese Maxey had 34 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, Joel Embiid scored 22 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-108 on Thursday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The San Antonio Spurs had Thursday off but are on the road tonight at Indiana. Houston and Dallas are idle.
STANDINGS
The Daytripper heads to Fort Griffin near Albany, Texas — one of the most legendary outposts of the Texas frontier.
