4 injured in South By Southwest Festival in Austin

AUSTIN, Texas – Four people were shot and wounded Sunday morning in downtown Austin, Texas, as the city hosts its annual South by Southwest Festival, police said.

The Austin Police Department told people to evacuate the area around 2:50 a.m., warning via Twitter that the gunman was still at large.

However, police tweeted that a suspect had been taken into custody before 5am

Police and the Austin-Travis County EMS said the victims’ injuries were not life-threatening and that all four had been taken to hospital.

The coronavirus epidemic has forced the SXSW festival to be virtual for the past two years.

In 2019, multiple shots were fired as the festival drew to a close, prompting the Austin police chief to promise more security for the city’s entertainment district.

The week-long Arts and Technology Fest brings a mix of technology, politics and entertainment. It started as a small showcase for up-and-coming bands in 1987 and became an international extravaganza, with movie premieres and performances by major artists.