Austin, TX
Australia mass shooting: Brother of Texas rabbi injured in attack speaks at Austin ceremony
AUSTIN, Texas – In the wake of the Australia attack on Bondi Beach, Jewish community members flocked to join Governor Greg Abbott in the annual Hanukkah tradition, which looked different this year.
The traditional lighting of the menorah at the Capitol is typically held outside. However, with the recent attack, everyone piled into the Governor’s reception room for security reasons.
The backstory:
There was a weight in the air you could almost feel as members of the Jewish community gathered for the annual Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony.
The celebration comes only days after two gunmen killed 15 people and injured about 40 others at a Hanukkah event in Sydney, Australia.
“We have enhanced security, making sure celebrations will take place peacefully and respectfully,” said Governor Greg Abbott.
The terror attack hits home for many. One of the victims is a fellow Texan, Rabbi Liebel Lazaroff, who remains in the ICU fighting for his life.
“An attack on Jews anywhere is an attack on us.”
Rabbi Liebel Lazaroff and his father.
Liebel’s siblings drove in from College Station, and his brother, Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff, spoke about his brother’s heroic actions on Bondi Beach.
“[Liebel] saw, close by, an Australian police officer who was injured and critically bleeding,” said Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff. “He ran over to him, took the shirt off his back, and applied a tourniquet and saved the man’s life.”
Liebel was shot twice while trying to save the Australian police officer. All of this unfolded as Liebel’s boss and mentor died right next to him. He was identified as Rabbi Eli Schlanger.
“[Liebel] said, ‘I could’ve saved the rabbi,’” said Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff. “[Liebel] said ‘Rabbi Schlanger has a family, a wife and children. I’m just a young boy. I could have done something, and I wish I would’ve done more.’”
The 20-year-old rabbi has undergone several surgeries and has more ahead of him before he can begin what will be a long road to recovery.
“He’s a good man, and he’s tough, but it definitely made me emotional for sure, and I’m proud of him,” said Rabbi Menachem Lazaroff. “I’m proud of who he is and what he represents.”
During the eight days of Hanukkah, one candle is lit each night until all eight are burning. On Thursday night, the fifth candle was lit, the symbolic transition of there being more light than darkness.
The Lazaroff family is seeking donations to cover Liebel’s medical bills. Here’s a link if you would like to help.
The Source: Information from statements at the Texas Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony and previous FOX 7 Austin coverage
Austin, TX
Austin, Texas shooting leaves 4 injured, 3 in custody. What we know
Police release new footage of gunman who opened fire at Austin bar
Police released new CCTV and body cam footage of the gunman who opened fire at an Austin bar.
Three juvenile individuals are in custody following a weekend crime spree of 12 shootings that left four people injured and multiple car thefts in Austin, Texas.
The crimes occurred starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, and ended on Sunday, May 17, resulting in the arrest of a 15-year-old, a 17-year-old and a third individual, Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday, May 17.
“The 17-year-old has a warrant for his arrest for a theft of a gun from the same store the 15-year-old stole a gun from,” Davis said at a news conference.
The string of crimes started when Austin PD was first notified of a stolen vehicle from an apartment complex, followed by the theft of a firearm. Following that, Davis said an estimated 20 service calls were received in the South and Southeast Austin areas regarding the individuals.
“Two times they fired at a firehouse and struck a truck,” Davis said. “Into apartment buildings where officers had to go door to door, ensuring that everyone was safe.”
In total, two separate fire houses, several buildings and apartment complexes were fired upon by the individuals, in addition to four vehicles being stolen.
Of the four individuals injured, three have been confirmed to have sustained non-life-threatening injuries, with the fourth sustaining critical injuries.
Police were able to connect these events to the three individuals, but Davis said there is no known motive for the series of events.
The crime spree concluded when Manor PD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that the individuals were driving. The individuals fled, but two of them were apprehended on Sunday.
Following the news conference, the Manor Police Department announced a third individual — a juvenile — who had fled the vehicle earlier on Sunday had been detained with no ongoing threat to the public.
Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement on social media calling the individuals dangerous.
“If they are ever released from jail, they will surely harm again,” Abbott said. “The DA & Court must do their job and keep these criminals behind bars.”
Anyone with information should contact the Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5177 or submit tips anonymously through austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.
Austin, TX
2 arrested, 3rd suspect sought after series of shootings in Austin, Texas
Anadolu staff
18 May 2026•Update: 18 May 2026
Two suspects were taken into custody and police continued searching for a third suspect on Sunday following a series of shootings in Austin, Texas that injured four people, authorities said.
Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said the suspects were linked to at least 10 attacks carried out between Saturday and Sunday, adding that one victim sustained serious injuries while three others suffered minor wounds.
Police said the shootings appeared to be random and that no clear motive had been identified. Most incidents occurred in South Austin, including at least two shootings targeting fire stations.
“At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and APD (Austin Police Department) asks that our community remain vigilant,” the department said in a press release.
Authorities lifted a shelter-in-place order that had been issued for parts of South Austin, while a separate order remained in effect Sunday in the nearby Manor area as officers searched for the remaining suspect.
The Austin Fire Department said two of its stations were struck by gunfire in separate incidents late Saturday and Sunday morning, though no firefighters were injured and only minor damage was reported.
Officials urged residents to remain vigilant and asked anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers, a community-based, non-profit program that allows citizens to submit anonymous tips about criminal activity and unsolved cases.
Austin, TX
One dead after car strikes semi-truck, rolls over on US 183
AUSTIN, TX — One person is dead after a vehicle hit a semi-truck and rolled over on US 183 in Northwest Austin early Sunday morning, police said.
Officers responded to the 11200 block of northbound Research Boulevard, near Balcones Woods Drive, at 2:24 a.m.
ALSO | Shelter-in-place lifted after SWAT response in Kyle; suspect taken into custody
The Austin Police Department initially said that one person was taken to the hospital, but later confirmed the person had been pronounced deceased.
The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene.
All northbound lanes of US 183 near Breaker Lane are shut down. Drivers are advised to expect delays and plan alternate routes.
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