2 dead, at least 14 injured — including 2 children — in shooting at Texas Juneteenth celebration: officials

Two people died and at least 14 others — including two children — were injured during a shooting at a Juneteenth festival in Texas Saturday night, officials said.

A fight between two groups broke out at around 10:50 p.m. during the Round Rock Juneteenth Celebration.

“During that altercation, someone produced a gun and began to fire,” Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks said. “Multiple victims were hit.”

Two people, who police said were not part of the altercation, were pronounced dead at the scene.

Fourteen others were rushed to local hospitals with gunshot wounds, police said.

At least two children were rushed to area hospitals with “potentially serious injuries,” according to Austin-Travis County EMS.

“We do not have a suspect in custody,” Banks added, saying the suspects fled the area

The suspect was described by cops as a man standing about 5’7″ with a thin build and short dreadlocks. He was last seen wearing a white hoodie.

“I would like to thank the police officers and fire department for their quick response. I have no doubt that their actions of rendering aid to the victims saved lives,” Banks said.

“It is unfortunate that we are here celebrating a wonderful event and we have a tragedy that happens.”

Banks blasted the senseless actions of the suspect saying it ruined a family’s lives forever.

“Having an event where we are celebrating such an occasion as Juneteenth, and to come together as a community is a terrific monumental event for us, but then when you have it marred by senseless tragedy, it just breaks your heart,” Banks said.

“It breaks your heart for a family who was coming out to enjoy your evening, and now their life is forever changed as a result of somebody who couldn’t care less about somebody else’s life.:

“And that’s so disappointing. Our goal is to put those folks behind bars. And our goal is to get them put away for life.”

Banks vowed to find the gunman responsible for the deadly shooting, leaving “no stones unturned.”

People had gathered in the 640-acre park outside of Austin for the Juneteenth festival, hosted by a local nonprofit and the city government that included the free concert

DJ Hella Yella, whose real name is Leon O’Neal, and rapper Paul Wall had been booked to perform at the concert.

O’Neal shared a video to X of him on stage, which was recorded “a few minutes before the shooting.”

“Couldn’t even tell anything was going on by the stage,” the DJ said.

The shooting occurred near the vendors’ area away from the concert stage shortly after Wall and his band performed. 

“Round Rock, we are praying for everybody,” Wall said in a post on X.