Three Dead Including Suspect, 14 Injured in Austin Bar Shooting

Three people were killed and 14 others wounded during an early-morning shooting at Buford’s, a popular beer garden in Austin’s entertainment district, after officers confronted a man with a gun and “returned fire, killing the suspect,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. The incident happened near West Sixth Street and Nueces, with scene photos showing officers guarding West 6th Street at West Avenue.

Authorities received a call for reports of a “male shooting” at Buford’s at 1:39 a.m., EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said. “We received a call at 1:39 a.m. and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients,” Luckritz said. Paramedics transported 14 people to area hospitals; of those injured, three were reported in critical condition, and three people were found dead at the scene.

Chief Davis told reporters that when police arrived they confronted a man with a gun and engaged. The returned fire killed the suspect, Davis said. Officials have not released the identity of the suspect or the other victims, and no further identifying details about the weapon or the sequence inside the bar were provided at the briefing.

Mayor Kirk Watson praised the rapid response by police and rescuers at a downtown briefing on Sunday, March 1, 2026. “They definitely saved lives,” Watson said, pointing to the arrival time cited by EMS. Photo captions from the scene show an Austin police officer guarding West 6th Street at West Avenue and Police Chief Lisa Davis providing a briefing near West Sixth Street and Nueces on Sunday.

Investigators continue to probe the shooting and have not disclosed a motive, saying details remain unclear as the investigation continues. Officials confirmed there were no announced arrests beyond the suspect being killed by returned police fire, and they did not name the three people who died at the scene.

Bufford’s is located in the heart of Austin’s entertainment corridor, an area that drew a heavy emergency response in the predawn hours. City and public safety officials said they would release additional information through official channels as it becomes available, while emergency crews worked to stabilize the wounded and hospitals treated those transported from the scene.