Austin Police Department officers arrested three suspects, all under the age of 18, in connection with a series of shootings, stolen vehicles, and other violent crimes that unfolded across Austin, Texas, and nearby Manor on May 16 and May 17. According to court records obtained by CBS Austin, the suspects allegedly stole a 9mm Glock pistol from Central Texas Gun Works, a high-profile gun store in Austin, hours before carrying out the 12 shootings, which injured four people, struck homes and vehicles, and damaged fire department property.

The store’s owner, Michael Cargill — a well-known gun rights advocate and the plaintiff behind the Supreme Court’s landmark Garland v. Cargill decision that struck down the federal bump stock ban — denies that the pistol stolen from his store was used in the shootings, though police say they recovered 9mm casings from the crime scenes.

Regardless, the theft draws attention to Central Texas Gun Works’ security measures, as Cargill himself admitted that one of the shooting spree suspects had attempted to rob the store multiple times in recent months, as discussed below.

Thefts from Central Texas Gun Works

In public statements following the shootings, Cargill repeatedly blamed local prosecutors for releasing the juvenile suspects after an earlier gun theft from his store in January. But his own comments also reveal security failures that allowed the same suspects who had tried to steal firearms at Central Texas Gun Works multiple times before escaping with one.

According to Cargill, one of the shooting spree suspects had attempted to steal guns from Central Texas Gun Works on four previous occasions, including most recently in January, when he asked to examine a gun and then ran out of the store with it. Cargill said he personally chased the suspect onto a city bus, stopped the bus from leaving, and had the driver lock the doors until police arrived. After cornering the suspect on the crowded bus, Cargill alleges that he told the teen, “If you pull out this gun on the back of this bus, you better think twice about what you’re doing. Because if you do, we will both die on this bus before I let you off this bus.”

Cargill lamented that Texas state law only allows a person to use deadly force against a person stealing a firearm at night, but not during the day.

Despite prior theft attempts, Cargill also acknowledged to reporters that customers are not required to show identification before handling firearms inside the store. Cargill stated that he and his employees only check a person’s ID “once they’re purchasing a firearm.” When answering questions from reporters, Cargill said that if someone asked to look at a gun, they wouldn’t have to show ID — at least “not initially.” In other words, according to Cargill, individuals could walk into the store, request a firearm, and physically handle it before any identity verification occurred.

Even after the same suspect had allegedly targeted the store multiple times, no additional safeguards appeared to be in place to prevent someone from simply grabbing a firearm and fleeing the building. During another interview, Cargill said the suspect walked in “at the perfect time” when Cargill was teaching a class and another employee was “doing something” and “ask[ed] to look at a firearm,” then “boom, dart[ed] out the front door.”

minimal security requirements

The incident highlights broader concerns about gun dealer security practices and the lack of meaningful federal requirements governing how guns are displayed, handled, or secured inside retail gun stores, despite thousands of firearms being lost or stolen from dealers every year. Unlike pharmacies, jewelry stores, dispensaries, or even some electronics retailers — businesses that often employ controlled-entry systems, tethered merchandise, locked displays, or mandatory identification procedures for potential customers — gun dealers face relatively limited federal security requirements despite selling lethal weapons.

For its part, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the gun industry’s trade association, lobbies against store security requirements, arguing that they are too “costly” and “burdensome” for dealers.

Cargill’s own statements suggest his store relied heavily on reactive measures, such as surveillance cameras and armed pursuit after thefts occurred, rather than preventative barriers designed to stop unauthorized individuals from physically obtaining firearms in the first place. Instead of addressing the security failures that made his gun store an easy target, Cargill argued that the Texas legislature needs to loosen gun laws to allow gun store owners “to use deadly force for theft of a firearm during the daytime. We would have no problem putting them on the escalator and sending them to Jesus.”

Following media reports linking the stolen firearm to Central Texas Gun Works, Cargill also threatened legal action against journalists and local news outlets that reported the gun allegedly used in the shootings came from his store. In a post on X, Cargill wrote that his attorneys were “preparing paperwork to go after every single person and media outlet” that reported the connection, calling the coverage “#Defamation.” The post included an image styled after a movie poster with Cargill standing near his store and the words “OWNER. LEADER. PROTECTOR.”

Cargill’s comments reflect a broader pattern within the firearms industry: When guns are stolen and later used in crimes, responsibility is often placed on prosecutors, courts, or the individuals who pulled the trigger, but far less attention is paid to the security failures that allowed firearms to leave retail stores in the first place.

AUSTIN, Texas – A massive stretch of Texas Hill Country is officially becoming a new state park, and it’s set to be one of the biggest outdoor destinations in the entire state.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced Wednesday that nearly 54,000 acres in Edwards and Kinney counties have been acquired to create Silver Lake State Park, which will become the second largest state park in Texas behind only Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The future park is located about 150 miles west of San Antonio between Rocksprings and Uvalde and features rugged canyons, rolling hills, river frontage along the West Nueces River, and a rare 30-acre spring-fed lake known as Silver Lake.

Why this is a big deal for Texans

Texas has seen growing demand for outdoor recreation and state park access in recent years, with many parks regularly reaching capacity during weekends and holidays. Officials say this acquisition will dramatically expand public access to protected land in the Hill Country.

Governor Greg Abbott called the project another example of how “the opportunities to explore nature’s wonders are truly bigger in Texas.”

The land was largely donated through the Moody Foundation, which gifted 87.5% ownership of the property to the state. Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the remaining portion for $11.85 million using money from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax revenue.

What visitors can expect

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, the property includes:

• Steep limestone cliffs and deep canyons

• Miles of river frontage

• Creeks and natural swimming holes

• Oak-covered hillsides

• Caves and ancient pictographs

• Wildlife including deer, turkey, dove and javelina

• Habitat for endangered species like the golden-cheeked warbler

The park will be developed in phases. Early access may include guided tours and limited day-use opportunities before larger recreational amenities are added. Future plans could include camping, hiking trails, paddling access and visitor facilities.

When will it open?

There is currently no official opening date for Silver Lake State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife says planners will first conduct environmental and cultural surveys before finalizing recreational plans and infrastructure improvements. Public input will also help shape the park’s future.

Officials say the process could take months, but once complete, the park is expected to become a major outdoor attraction for Texans and visitors alike.

Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday issued a directive reinforcing a freeze on undergraduate tuition and fees at all public institutions of higher education in Texas for the upcoming academic year.

Tuition freeze extended

In a letter sent to college and university presidents, Abbott made clear that his November 2024 directive remains fully in effect and that no undergraduate tuition or fees should be increased for the 2026–2027 academic school year. The freeze applies to all public two-year and four-year institutions, including both general academic and health-related schools.

What they’re saying:

“Higher education must be attainable for Texas students and families,” Abbott said in a statement. “Access to affordable, high-quality higher education is essential to ensure Texans learn the skills needed to secure family-sustaining jobs and meet the demands of a growing workforce.”

Undergraduate tuition and fees at Texas public institutions have remained frozen since 2023. While the state legislature previously codified the freeze for general academic four-year universities, Abbott emphasized that his executive directive encompasses all public higher education systems.

State officials noted that the tuition freeze has been paired with significant state investments intended to offset institutional costs and support affordability. In 2023, the state invested more than $680 million to reform community college funding and expand degree pathways. Additionally, during the 2025 budget cycle, Texas increased student financial aid funding by $328 million to expand access to state financial aid programs for eligible students.

What’s next:

Abbott indicated he plans to work with the legislature during its next session to extend the tuition freeze into future academic years.