AUSTIN, Texas — A man is dead following a shooting on Saturday involving an armed man and Austin police officers on East Sixth Street in Downtown Austin.
The Austin Police Department said it all started when a man with a gun tried to get inside in a bar. An employee at the bar identified the man to police. According to APD, when officers arrived, the man pointed the gun in the direction of police and bystanders.
"When I woke up Sunday learning what happening on Sixth Street, it reminded me of the last time there was a shooting down there and the fact it is a dangerous place in the city right now," said District 6 Council Member Mackenzie Kelly.
The city has been working to make Sixth Street safer with its "Safer Sixth Street Initiative” implemented in 2021. It includes adding more lighting and getting bars owners to work with law enforcement.
Kelly also believes more can be done to make the area safer.
"Perhaps some increased screening area procedures to make sure no one is bringing guns into the area might help," she said.
Other cities, including Memphis and Kansas City, have added security checkpoints in their entertainment districts.
On Beal Street in Memphis, patrons must be 21 to enter the area after 11 p.m. In Kansas City's Westport, police block off the street and people must be cleared by a metal detector.
Kelly said that could be a challenge in Texas.
"My understanding, state law prevents us from being able to block off streets like that because Texas is an open carry state and people can open carry in public places," she told KVUE.
Kelly said a mixed use-revitalization plan will help with safety.
"I believe when you have mixed uses and not just shot bar, shot bar, shot bar, then people are less likely to be intoxicated and bring weapons," she said.