Shooting Outside Sam’s BBQ Shakes East Austin Neighborhood
A shooting outside one of East Austin’s most iconic restaurants left two people injured and a community on edge Sunday night.
The incident unfolded around 8:30 p.m. on April 26 near East 12th Street and Chicon Street, outside Sam’s BBQ, a well-known local eatery.
Officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired, and officials described it as a “large scene” with multiple victims.
🇺🇸 BREAKING:
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 27, 2026
Multiple casualties reported following a large-scale shooting in East Austin, Texas.
Suspect has fled the scene.
This is developing. Details are still coming in.
Source: KVUEpic.twitter.com/XgkDaqTJz9
Police cars are here for a "Multiple Shots Fired" incident that occurred about an hour ago, 12th Street is now taped off from Chicon to Poquito. pic.twitter.com/ACXeehTJkU
— Austin Videos (@ATXVideos) April 27, 2026
Six individuals were shot and rushed to nearby hospitals. While the exact nature of their injuries has not been disclosed, but all are expected to survive.
At the time of the shooting, a nearby business was hosting a “Sunday Funday” event featuring music and food, though it is not yet certain whether the violence was related to the gathering. An employee of the Austin Daiquiri Factory, located next door to Sam’s BBQ, confirmed there was a shooting on East 12th Street but declined to comment further out of respect for those affected.
UPDATE: Suspect has been arrested and video of the incident has surfaced.
We have video of the shooting outside Sam's BBQ https://t.co/udMxFwswzW pic.twitter.com/SkJp1CiL1G
— Chris Walker (@WalkerATX) April 27, 2026
APD Detectives Request the Public's Assistance in Connection to a Shooting that Occurred on April 26 | https://t.co/WIPJRfGukU pic.twitter.com/VGNMm8x3P2
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) April 27, 2026
Sam’s BBQ, which has been a cornerstone of East Austin since 1957, has weathered decades of change in the neighborhood. Sunday’s violence is a sobering reminder of the challenges facing the community.
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the Austin Police Department.
This is a developing story. Details may be updated as the investigation continues.
One person was pronounced dead on the scene of a single-vehicle collision in North Austin Sunday night.
According to officials, the incident took place at 9300 Research Blvd. Southbound at around 8:50 p.m.
Austin officials and the governor’s office have agreed on revised language in the city’s police guidelines governing how officers respond to ICE administrative warrants, a compromise that preserved $2.5 million in public safety grants the state had threatened to pull.
Across the city, more than $1 billion in voter-approved bond funds remain unissued. Some of the oldest projects on the list date back to 2006, despite a city policy that calls for project proposals that can be completed within six years of voter approval. (Austin American-Statesman)
Councilman Marc Duchen provides a recap of Austin City Council business last week.
A hateful message spray‑painted on a retaining wall outside of Congregation Beth Israel in Central Austin was quickly covered Thursday after members discovered it while driving past the property.
Bee Cave police arrested a suspect on Sunday who they say was wanted on outstanding warrants from APD.
Two people accused in a gift card fraud investigation were arrested after authorities said they tracked a white rental car through dozens of Austin-area stores and later found thousands of gift cards connected to the suspected scheme, according to a Harris County search warrant affidavit. (Austin American-Statesman)
FOLLOW @AUSTINJUSTICE ON X
Today marks the deadline for Texas voters to register for the May primary runoff elections.
Early voting for the May runoff ends tomorrow.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY
A false alarm in Manor over the weekend alarmed some residents.
A new government review of the proposed MoPac South project shows how construction would reach into public spaces including Zilker Park, how water quality could be affected and where noise walls could go. (KUT 90.5)
Kyle skateboarders will soon have a new place to hang.
A popular local podcast is taking a break and making some changes.
The City Cast Austin podcast is taking a brief break over the next few months to regroup and develop some new concepts.
The Boss was in Austin last night.
Bruce Springsteen Begins Concert With 'Prayer of Thanks' for Trump's Safety After WHCA Dinner Attack https://t.co/CIcQBDOKUT
— Mediaite (@Mediaite) April 27, 2026
More information link.
WEATHER
SUNDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERATURES
AUSTIN-BERSGTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
A roundup of reactions from Texas lawmakers to the WHCD shooting.
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Praise God that @POTUS and @VP are safe. Grateful for law enforcement, who quickly took down the threat.
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) April 26, 2026
Pray for our nation.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
🇺🇸🙏 pic.twitter.com/wKjNGAiU3f
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 26, 2026
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) McCaul, who attended the dinner, gave some of the most substantive policy commentary of any Texas lawmaker.
Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, McCaul raised alarms about the presidential line of succession, saying: “You had the president and the vice president at the head table, both of them together, and [House Speaker Mike Johnson]. Had an explosive device gone off, you would have knocked out the president, vice president, Speaker — the three in line of succession.” McCaul noted that if all three were victims of a violent attack, Senate president pro tempore Sen. Chuck Grassley would become president. He concluded: “I think the Secret Service needs to reconsider having both the president and vice president together at something like that.”
McCaul’s reaction drew the most national attention, given his background as chairman emeritus of the House Homeland Security Committee and the fact that he was present at the event.
Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D-TX)
I am relieved this morning that the WHCD shooter was apprehended before anyone was seriously hurt and thankful that the President is safe.
— Gina Hinojosa (@GinaHinojosaTX) April 26, 2026
Violence is never the answer and only serves to make us more broken.
Rep. James Talarico (D-TX)
.@jamestalarico: True democracy is nonviolent self-governance of thy neighbor, by thy neighbor, for thy neighbor. pic.twitter.com/MrapZnfb58
— Team Talarico (@TeamTalaricoHQ) April 26, 2026
Lawmakers are set to meet today and tomorrow at the Texas State Capitol to discuss the July 2025 deadly flooding at Camp Mystic.
Over 100 protestors gathered in front of a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement Processing facility in San Antonio on Saturday.
🚨A new episode of Real Stories of the Texas Highway Patrol is out now! 🚨
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) April 22, 2026
Tune in as we ride along with Texas Department of Public Safety – South Texas Region Trooper Axel Martinez, out of Starr County, stationed in Rio Grande City. Trooper Martinez shares more about his… pic.twitter.com/zuax9NxMfi
A federal judge is weighing whether extreme heat in Texas prisons is forcing inmates to endure what could be considered “cruel and unusual punishment.”
Texas’ newest state park has drawn over 17,000 visitors since opening in March.
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park‘s early turnout has exceeded expectations. (FOX 7 Austin)
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Someone in North Texas is suddenly $41 million richer.
$41 million winning Texas lottery ticket sold at North Texas 7-Eleven https://t.co/OIhdI02Uzm
— Fort Worth Star-Telegram (@startelegram) April 27, 2026
In Texas, workers at 29 Starbucks stores have unionized since June 2022. (San Antonio Current)
The lottery is set to begin today for second-tier priority students who applied for Texas’ Education Savings Accounts program.
The Justice Department’s move to reclassify medical marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug marks a major federal policy shift with potential ripple effects in Texas. Dylan McKim breaks down what the change means for research and public health, what stays the same, and why some experts warn the move opens the door to profit‑driven expansion without enough safeguards.
School districts across Texas are spending tens of thousands of dollars fighting lawsuits brought by the attorney general’s office, even as many face mounting budget crises. Investigator Kelly Wiley examines the growing volume of litigation, the culture‑war issues driving these cases, and how legal costs are forcing districts to weigh classroom needs against court battles.
The legal fight over in‑state tuition for undocumented students is heading back to court, with June arguments scheduled at the Fifth Circuit. Adam Schwager reports on how student organizations are joining the case, what’s at stake for current and future college students, and how a 25‑year‑old Texas law could ultimately end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.
(Episode from April 26, 2026)
SPORTS
COLLEGE BASEBALL: Sam Cozart registered the final nine outs, as No. 4 Texas outlasted Vanderbilt to post a 4-3 extra-inning win at Hawkins Field on Sunday afternoon. With the tying tally 90 feet away and the potential winning run in scoring position, Cozart (6-0) fanned the final two batters to secure the series for the Longhorns (32-9, 13-7 SEC). (Texas Longhorns)
ON THE SCHEDULE
Texas has NINE conference games left before Hoover.
— Longhorn Baseball News (@HornsBsblNews) April 27, 2026
3 wins = Borderline top 16 regional host
4 wins = Guaranteed Regional host, probably a top 8 national seed
5 wins = Guaranteed top 8 national seed
Anything more = Luxury#HookEm https://t.co/TdxU8pITjQ
MLB: The Houston Astros avoided the broom.
Spencer Arrighetti allowed one run over seven innings, and Christian Walker homered and drove home a season-high four runs, and the Houston Astros beat New York 7-4 on Sunday to snap the Yankees’ eight-game winning streak. (Associated Press vis MSN)
Carlos Cortes had a two-run triple in the first inning, reliever Justin Sterner escaped a bases-loaded, no-out jam to preserve a one-run lead in the sixth and the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 2-1 in the rubber game of their series Sunday. (Associated Press)
ON THE SCHEDULE
The Astros have the day off. The Rangers host the Yankees.
NBA PLAYOFFS: The San Antonio Spurs come back from 15 down at the half to go up 3-1 in their series with Portland while the Houston Rockets stave off elimination.
The Spurs announced about an hour before tipoff Sunday that Victor Wembanyama could play in Game 4 of the team’s first-round series against the Portland Trail Blazers after clearing the league’s concussion protocol. He went on to score 27 points with 11 rebounds and seven blocks in San Antonio’s 114-93 win. (Associated Press)
Amen Thompson helped the Houston Rockets extend the first-round NBA playoff series to a Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Thompson shot 10-of-16 from the field for a team-high 23 points in the Rockets’ 115-96 victory at the Toyota Center on Sunday.
The Rockets were facing elimination after the Lakers won the first three games of the series – the first two in Los Angeles and Game 3 in Houston. Not only did the Rockets need a win to stay alive in the playoffs, but they had to do it without superstar Kevin Durant, who missed his third game of the series with an injury.
The Rockets and Spurs both have today off. The Spurs return to action tomorrow night for Game 6.
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
NFL: The Dallas Cowboys will play the Baltimore Ravens in September in Brazil.
A postcard from Texas, courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Soar through the piney uplands and soggy bottoms of the Boggy Slough Conservation Area in deep East Texas.
