Three Teens Arrested After Terrifying Weekend Shooting Spree Shakes Austin
A weekend of chaos and fear came to a close late Sunday when law enforcement announced that three teenage suspects had been taken into custody in connection with a sweeping crime spree that left four people shot, multiple vehicles stolen, and an entire city on edge.
The incidents began around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday and continued into Sunday morning, striking primarily in south and east Austin. What started as isolated thefts quickly escalated into something far more alarming — and the opening act took place inside a well-known local gun shop.
The chain of events began at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, when a firearm was reported stolen from Central Texas Gun Works. The store’s owner, Michael Cargill — a prominent Austin gun dealer and Second Amendment advocate — later confirmed the theft publicly and voiced sharp frustration.
Cargill said one of the suspects stole a gun from his store Saturday afternoon, though he declined to say exactly how it was done. He noted that customers are not initially asked for ID upon entering the store, only when they proceed to purchase a firearm and undergo an FBI background check.
Perhaps most troubling, Cargill said this was not the group’s first appearance at his store. “They’ve come into the gun store apparently four other times to try to steal guns from us,” he said. Back in January, the 17-year-old suspect had already stolen a gun from Central Texas Gun Works and fled onto a CapMetro bus at a nearby stop. APD arrested the teenager and recovered the gun on the bus. Cargill directed his anger at the Travis County District Attorney‘s office, blaming prosecutors for failing to pursue charges against the suspect after that earlier incident. He announced that additional security measures would be installed at his shop immediately.
The DA’s office responded to Cargill’s comments:
Police confirmed that the 17-year-old, later identified as Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, had an active warrant for theft of a firearm from the same store where the 15-year-old allegedly stole a gun on Saturday.
Armed with stolen weapons and stolen cars, the suspects then unleashed mayhem across the city. They allegedly fired shots at apartment complexes, homes, pedestrians, and two fire stations — striking one fire truck while firefighters were nearby.
The incidents paused Saturday night before resuming Sunday morning, when a man walking his dog was shot in the back. In total, the shootings damaged five vehicles, four homes, two fire stations, and three fire department vehicles. At least five vehicles and one firearm were stolen, and four people were shot, including one victim who remained hospitalized with serious injuries.
The manhunt ended after a license plate reader alert led Manor Police officers to spot the suspect vehicle.
The local police union’s president questions whether license plate reader (LPR) technology could have ended the search for the three shooting spree suspects sooner. Now, the city could bring it back under new privacy guidelines.
The pursuit ended near FM 973, where three suspects fled on foot. Nearly 200 officers from multiple agencies, including SWAT teams, K-9 units, and air support, assisted in the search. The three suspects — ages 15, 16, and 17 — were all detained by Sunday night.
Formal charges remain under review but are expected to include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault involving a motor vehicle, deadly conduct, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, and theft of a firearm, among others.
Police Chief Davis was unsparing: “We need to take seriously the fact that we’ve got two juveniles, 15 and 17, running around with guns creating this havoc.”
The case has reignited debate in Austin about juvenile accountability, gun store security, and the consequences of prosecutorial decisions — with Cargill’s stolen firearms sitting squarely at the center of all three.
Sources:
- CBS Austin (Central Texas Gun Works / Cargill): https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/gun-shop-owner-says-stolen-gun-used-in-south-austin-shooting-spree-blames-das-office
- CBS News Texas: https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/austin-10-shootings-may-17-2026/
- KUT Radio (Austin’s NPR Station): https://www.kut.org/crime-justice/2026-05-18/austin-police-apd-south-austin-shootings-timeline
- Austin Police Department (AustinTexas.gov): https://www.austintexas.gov/police/news/apd-releases-new-information-connection-multiple-shooting-incidents-across-austin
- KEYE TV / ABC 3340: https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/twelve-shootings-four-wounded-teens-in-custody-after-weekend-shooting-spree-in-texas-austin-guns-firearms-weapons-custody-police-crime-law-enforcement
Across the state, Texans started casting their ballots Monday in the primary runoff elections for the first day of early voting.
TRAVIS COUNTY EARLY VOTING TOTALS – MONDAY, MAY 18
More than 7,200 registered Travis County voters turned out on the first day of early voting.
Nearly 6,000 early voters turned out Monday in Williamson County.
The county returning to county-wide voting for the primary runoff election after using separate polling locations during early voting in March.
ICE activity and arrests were reported Monday in Elgin in the area of 290 and SH95.
Meanwhile, U.S. Congressman Greg Casar, D- Austin, on Monday met with several Texans detained inside Karnes County Immigration Processing Center, including an Austin Independent School District high school senior detained weeks before his high school graduation and an Austin elementary school teacher who has been detained for nearly a year.
The Marble Falls Police Department says five people were killed Saturday, including a three-year-old and five-year-old, after a crash on Highway 281.
Austin police arrested two men for allegedly stealing mail from over 50 addresses.
CAPITAL AREA CRIME STOPPERS
The family of a man shot last week at a local BBQ restaurant is suing Down South CaJJun Eats, arguing the restaurant didn’t have ample security.
Austin Transit Partnership gives an update on the city’s light rail project.
CapMetro bus drivers are seeking better pay and more training.
The state’s I-35 expansion has narrowed the waterway beneath the interstate bridge to a passage about 75 feet wide. The Austin Rowing Club says the route for boaters can be confusing from water level and worries the 75-foot width could be too narrow for two-way traffic, considering the popularity of the lake. (KUT 90.5)
Firefighters across the Texas Panhandle are battling multiple wind-driven wildfires this week, with two counties bearing the heaviest burden.
In Potter County, the Texas A&M Forest Service reports that approximately 300 homes are currently threatened, with crews now conducting mop-up operations after forward progression was stopped.
The Shifty Fire in Potter County grew to an estimated 5,000 acres and has been fully contained but crews remain on high alert as dry and windy conditions persist across the region.
The Stinky Fire rekindled on Monday afternoon.
To the south, the Hunggate Fire in Randall County has merged with the Chocolate Chip Fire, consuming approximately 34,100 acres combined. The blaze has destroyed at least three homes and several outbuildings. As of the latest update, the Hunggate Fire stands at 95 percent containment.
All mandatory evacuation orders in Canyon have been lifted, offering some relief to residents — but officials are urging the public to remain vigilant as firefighting efforts continue.
A separate blaze, the Western Fire in Randall County, was confirmed to have been started by someone welding. It burned an estimated 1,137 acres but has since been fully contained.
One other blaze, this one in Swisher County, is burning 1500 with 90 percent containment.
WEATHER
MONDAY’S HIGH / LOW TEMPERARURES
AUSTIN-BERGSTROM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
CAMP MABRY
Governor Greg Abbott directed TDEM to activate state emergency response resources ahead of severe storm potential across Texas.
5-DAY FORECAST / AUSTIN, TEXAS
Corpus Christi, a coastal city of more than 300,000 and home to a large industrial port, is not alone in grappling with water shortages. Half the nation is dealing with a persistent drought, according to federal data, at the same time as industrial water demand has risen because of growing needs from power plants and data centers.
But Corpus Christi’s struggle to respond could serve as a warning to cities around Texas and across the country. (New York Times)
After state lawmakers approved sweeping changes to summer camp safety rules in Texas, fewer camps are preparing to open this summer.
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday sued a group calling itself Texas American Muslim University, accusing it of operating without state approval, misleading prospective students and using a name too similar to Texas A&M.
Meanwhile, Paxton remains under fire for a plea deal his prosecutors offered last month to a Waco man charged with repeatedly sexually abusing a young boy. (KUT 90.5)
Investment in recruiting and educating younger people in Texas for careers in the oil and gas industry was in danger of slowing as the country moved toward clean energy production. But some educators in Texas say the programs have been reinvigorated by the Trump administration’s pledge to ramp up fossil fuel extraction. (Texas Public Radio)
Here’s what you should know about the market forces at play and what higher prices mean for oil companies and the state. (Texas Tribune)
Sadly, it’s taken some time, but voters seem to be figuring out that Trump only cares about himself, his ballroom, his blatant corruption, and his unquenchable desire for revenge. 2026, so far, has been bad for his approval ratings. And his continued weakness on the world stage, especially when it comes to Iran and China, will only drive his numbers down more. At the same time, Trump has done permanent damage to our standing among our allies. Plus, Dems need to get serious about AI as well as a stock-trading ban for public officials—including presidents—Trump has far too many unexplained medical conditions, and Tim explains his support for commuting Tina Peters’ prison sentence.
(Episode from May 18, 2026)
Straus Family Creamery is voluntarily recalling various flavors of its organic ice cream due to the potential presence of metal foreign material, according to the FDA. The ice cream products were distributed in 17 states, including Texas. (Austin American-Statesman)
A 29-year-old inmate at the Bexar County Jail has died after a ‘medical emergency’ and an investigation is underway.
Authorities in Harris County are searching for a 32-year-old inmate who cut off his court-ordered ankle monitor last week after a tamper alert was triggered.
SPORTS
MLS: No more Nico.
Victor Wembanyama had 41 points and 24 rebounds, Dylan Harper finished with 24 points and a team playoff-record seven steals, and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 122-115 in a double-overtime classic to open the Western Conference finals Monday night. (Associated Press)
GAME 2: WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
MLB: A Monday night to forget for the Astros and Rangers.
Both teams are back at it tonight.
ROSTER MOVES
Enjoy the view of this iconic 70-foot spring-fed waterfall located at Colorado Bend State Park.
