AUSTIN, Texas (KEYE) — Austin police released new details Monday, including the mugshot of the 17-year-old suspect connected to this weekend’s string of shootings, stolen vehicles, and violent crimes across South Austin and surrounding areas that left four people injured.
According to the Austin Police Department, three suspects are now in custody in connection with 12 shootings that happened between Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17.
Police identified the oldest suspect as 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon. Two additional suspects, ages 15 and 16, were not publicly identified because they are juveniles under Texas law.
Investigators said the suspects are expected to face multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, deadly conduct, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest, and theft of a firearm. Additional charges could be filed as detectives continue reviewing evidence.
Police said the incidents involved a mix of random and targeted shootings. Some victims were known to the suspects, while others appeared to have no connection, police said.
Residents in Manor described a heavy law enforcement response as officers searched for the suspects on Sunday.
“Since all the stuff that’s been going on, I really thought maybe an active shooter,” Manor resident Jacob Aguilar told CBS Austin.
Aguilar said he saw dozens of police vehicles rushing into the area as officers searched neighborhoods connected to the investigation.
“I just saw like cop after cop after cop. There were so many. At least 30 to 40 vehicles are storming in here,” Aguilar said.
Saturday, May 16
11:30 a.m. — 321 W. Ben White Blvd.: Officers received a report of a stolen firearm from Central Texas Gun Works in South Austin. Detectives later determined the suspect vehicle — a dark-colored Hyundai Sonata — had itself been stolen from an apartment complex on East Oltorf Drive.
3:58 p.m. — 10 Yucca Drive: First confirmed shooting reported at a trailer residence. Multiple shell casings and bullet damage were found. No injuries reported.
4:30 p.m. — 3300 Parker Lane: Gunfire struck vehicles and an occupied apartment at the Whisper Hollow apartment complex, including rooms occupied by adults and children. No injuries reported.
6:08 p.m. — 1601 Montopolis Drive: Suspects allegedly fired through the door of a third-floor apartment before fleeing in a black sedan. No injuries reported.
6:19 p.m. — 4802 Cypress Bend: An unoccupied home and vehicle were struck by gunfire.
7 p.m. — 2707 S. IH-35 Service Road North: A Hyundai Elantra was stolen from a Motel 6 parking lot.
8:30 p.m. — 6575 Decker Lane: Shots fired at a business and nearby vehicles. Witnesses reported a suspect firing into the air from a vehicle.
8:49 p.m. — Austin Fire Station 26: Gunfire struck garage doors, emergency response vehicles, and equipment while firefighters were inside. No injuries reported.
8:55 p.m. — 5701 Purple Sage Drive: Shots shattered the windshield of an occupied vehicle, causing minor injuries from broken glass.
Sunday, May 17
3:50 a.m. — 2336 Douglas Street: Another stolen vehicle was reported.
8:46 a.m. — 7409 Janes Ranch Road: A victim was shot in the back and stomach and hospitalized.
10:46 a.m. — Austin Fire Station 32: Another fire station was struck by gunfire while firefighters were inside.
1:44 p.m. — 2223 Burton Drive: Two people were shot during a drive-by shooting involving a stolen white Kia Optima.
2:29 p.m. — 11700 Dionda Lane: A victim suffered life-threatening gunshot wounds and was transported to a trauma center.
3:23 p.m. — FM 973 area: Manor police officers located the stolen white Kia Optima after a BOLO was issued to surrounding agencies. Manor police and Travis County deputies pursued the vehicle until the suspects drove into a field near FM 973 and fled on foot. One suspect was captured near the vehicle, while the other two were later found following an extensive search involving K9s, air support, and multiple law enforcement agencies.
In total, police said the shootings damaged five vehicles, four homes, two fire stations, and three fire department vehicles. At least five vehicles and one firearm were stolen. Four people were shot, including one victim who remains hospitalized with critical injuries.
At this stage of the investigation, APD is aware of the contribution of license plate reader (LPR) technology to the apprehension of the suspects in Manor.
Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps said officers spotted the suspect vehicle after receiving the alert.
“It just so happened our officers made a visual of that vehicle and made a U-turn,” Phipps said.
Police said the pursuit ended near FM 973, where three suspects ran from the vehicle. Two suspects were taken into custody within about 30 minutes, while officers continued searching for a third suspect for hours.
Authorities said nearly 200 officers from multiple agencies, including SWAT teams, K-9 units, and air support, assisted in the search. Several Manor neighborhoods were placed under a shelter-in-place order during the operation.
“I was just in my backyard, and I was grilling, and then I heard the chopper flying around the area,” resident Reymond told CBS Austin.
“It’s normal to be scared, be alarmed because these people, they did something wrong and they’re dangerous,” Reymond said.
Police said the final suspect was eventually arrested just after 9 p.m. at the H-E-B gas station on FM 973 after officers responded to reports of a suspicious person.
“I’m so scared for my family, you know, so I still, you know, I need to do the precaution around the house, lock the doors, you know, stay alert,” Reymond said.
At this time, investigators are still processing evidence, including shell casings, surveillance footage, stolen vehicles, and digital evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact APD’s Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5245 or submit anonymous tips through Capital Area Crime Stoppers.
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