Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) is offering up to $10,000 in reward money for information about a fatal shooting carried out at a Juneteenth celebration in an Austin suburb over the weekend.
Abbott announced Tuesday afternoon that the Public Safety Office had approved a five-figure payout for anyone who provides information that leads to the identification and arrest of the assailant or assailants in the Saturday attack at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.
The governor’s office reward is in addition to $5,000 from the Williamson County Crime Stoppers and $5,000 from the federal office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Two people at the celebration were killed, and 14 others were wounded in the mass shooting in what police have described as the result of an altercation between two people, but police do not have a suspect in custody.
“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened by the horrific tragedy this past weekend that took the lives of two innocent Texans and injured fourteen other victims at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock,” said Abbott in a statement.
“Texas is deploying our full support to local law enforcement to ensure those involved in this heinous crime are found and brought to justice,” Abbott continued. “I encourage Texans with information relating to this crime to call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline or submit an anonymous tip online. With your help, we will capture these criminals and put them behind bars.”
Attendees told local media that gunshots rang out shortly before 11 p.m. at the city-sponsored Juneteenth event. The festival was meant to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the end of slavery in the United States.
The event was advertised as a barbecue taste-off with musical performances on Friday and Saturday evenings.
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Rappers Kirko Bangz, DJ Hella Yella, and Dat Boy Play took the stage the first night. Hip-hop and R&B performers Lloyd, Paul Wall, and Sean Ardoin were slated to perform between 5 p.m. and midnight Saturday.
Anyone with information can contact Texas Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-252-8477 or submit a tip online through the Texas Department of Public Safety website.