AUSTIN, Texas — One person is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a shooting inside an East Sixth Street bar early Tuesday morning.
According to the Austin Police Department, the shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. at The Lodge bar on East Sixth Street.
Police are still investigating and, as of 5 a.m. Tuesday, no one has been arrested. Police said the suspect drove away in a white sedan.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) told KVUE that, speaking generally, cases involving a "breach of the peace" inside a TABC-licensed location – including assaults or homicides – are investigated by the agency to determine whether the business’ policies or practices contributed to the incident. Examples include serving alcohol to a person who was intoxicated and who then went on to start a violent incident or situations where the business allowed or encouraged violent activity on the premises. The TABC then later told KVUE Tuesday afternoon it had opened an investigation related to the shooting.
Here is the TABC statement sent to KVUE:
"TABC TRACE Unit (Target Responsibility for Alcohol-Connected Emergencies) has opened a preliminary investigation into the shooting on East Sixth Street. Investigators will be working to determine whether the business’ polices or practices played any role in the incident. Businesses found to have played a role in an assault, aggravated assault or homicide on the premises could face TABC administrative penalties such as a temporary suspension of their liquor license or a fine. In serious cases, or in cases of repeat violations, the agency could seek to permanently cancel the business’ liquor license."
There have been efforts to make Sixth Street safer, especially since the mass shooting in June that killed one and injured 13 others.
Austin Energy crews replaced 64 lights with LED fixtures to provide more illumination. The City of Austin is looking into making a dedicated area for emergency crews so they can respond faster. APD and the TABC are also leading targeted operations to crack down on underage drinking.
No additional information on Tuesday morning's incident is available at this time.
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