AUSTIN, Texas — The holiday weekend took a scary turn on Monday morning when Austin police say an apparent road rage incident led to shots fired downtown.
The shooting happened near Seventh and Red River streets. It's an area that has seen its share of violence – and some nearby business owners say they would love to see more done about it.
At Hoboken Pies in Downtown Austin, near Seventh and Red River streets, Matthew Wattles and Jamison Bunts cooked up some pizzas on Monday. But just outside their doors, they said crime is common.
“Probably on a weekly basis, there is least something that goes down," Wattles said.
Austin police say the most recent incident was Monday morning. Two drivers began arguing around 1 a.m. at the intersection of East Seventh and Red River streets. One of the people involved then allegedly shot the other and took off.
Bunts thinks an increased law enforcement presence in the area would help.
"Patrol and barriers," he said.
AJ Bishop likes to play his guitar on Red River Street, but he said not far away, cars speed down the street and it can be a very dangerous intersection.
“On that street, especially the guys with the loud motors, you hear them all the time in the city,” Bishop said.
Monday morning's incident wasn't the only dangerous one in the area involving a car. During South by Southwest, on March 12, there was deadly hit-and-run at the same intersection. Tyrone Thompson is accused of hitting two pedestrians. Both ended up dying. He was later arrested following a separate crash.
"Yeah, right over here. I don't think that's good. We need extra coverage," Bunts said.
Police say they are still looking for a suspect in Monday morning's shooting. If you have any information, you are asked to call the police.