Brawl Among Hurricane Laura Evacuees In Austin Leaves Woman Dead

AUSTIN, TX — A downtown Austin brawl among some five dozen Hurricane Laura evacuees early Thursday left a woman dead after being shot, police said.

The incident occurred at 12:30 a.m. at East 6th and Brazos streets where police said about 60 people were fighting. Amid multiple 911 calls reporting the violence, one caller alerted police someone had been shot, officials wrote in an advisory.

Upon arrival, officers found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center where she was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m., police said. The woman was not identified because her family has not yet been told.

According to a police investigation, two groups of hurricane evacuees — one from Port Arthur and another from Beaumont — got into an argument before a large fight ensued, officials said. Individuals from both groups pulled out handguns during the brawl, including one person who fired and struck a homeless woman who happened to be nearby but not involved in the altercation, police said.

City officials on Thursday said some 3,000 hurricane evacuees are currently being housed at makeshift shelter space at the Austin Convention Center, the Circuit of the Americas racetrack and area hotels.

It's unclear if any arrests have been made. As police continue to investigate, those with information on the incident are urged to call detectives at (512) 974-TIPS (8477), email them at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, use the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at (512) 472-TIPS (8477) or use the Crime Stoppers App. Tips also can be submitted by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.