Drive-by shootings in North Austin neighborhood leave residents living in constant fear

AUSTIN, Texas – Neighbors on Tuffit Lane in North Austin live in a continuing state of worry after a string of drive-by shootings. 

Resident Joe Ayres says the primary taking pictures occurred a few yr in the past, however says shootings have since ramped up. He says there have been 4 shootings from April 20 to Could 1. Every time, a number of rounds are fired.

Surveillance video captured from his home reveals flashes popping out of a automotive.

“It is actually scary coming house and considering, it is like, ‘fall asleep,’ 5 minutes into sleep, ‘pow pow pow pow pow,’ get up, cannot return to sleep,” Ayres stated. “You lose sleep, you are scared, and other people’s homes and automobiles are getting tore up.”

He says nobody has been damage to his information and that one particular person has already moved out of a bullet-ridden home.

Neighbors imagine the suspects are concentrating on a particular home, however different homes and automobiles and likewise getting hit. Police do reply, however neighbors need greater than that.

“I would love extra police presence,” Ayres stated.

“I believe simply having any form of presence right here throughout the neighborhood would go a great distance,” resident Michael Garza stated. “It has been actually disheartening to know that you just clearly see a repetition right here, and we form of really feel like it will take one thing even worse occurring for one thing to truly change.”

Garza has a younger household and says the shootings are affecting day-to-day life.

“We’re actually having to alter what we do on an on a regular basis foundation. Principally, as soon as it begins to get slightly bit darkish outdoors, my spouse is all the time giving me a tough time about going, doing issues within the storage, or being on the entrance of the home, as a result of we do not know if tonight’s the night time it will occur,” he stated. 

“I’ve had neighbors inform me that they speak to their vital different, you recognize, and say, ‘hey, going to occur tonight,’ and it is like, ‘oh my God,’ or the neighbor comes out and says, ‘hey, been two days for the reason that final taking pictures,’ that is not a dialog you have to be having along with your neighbor. ‘We made it one other two days. Let’s strive for a 3rd day,’” Ayres stated.

CRIME NEWS

Austin Police confirmed they’re investigating a number of pictures fired calls on Tuffit Lane. 

They are saying in an announcement:

“These incidents are nonetheless being investigated. With a purpose to defend the integrity of the investigation, we shouldn’t have any additional info to offer presently. If anybody with info or video of the incident could submit a tip anonymously by way of the Capital Space Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

“Moreover, please report any prison exercise to 9-1-1 or to 3-1-1 and ireportaustin.com for non-emergencies.”

In response to the push for patrols, they are saying this:

“APD officers are always patrolling areas and areas of town proactively; we don’t reveal deployment areas resulting from operational safety. Our officers work onerous day-after-day to offer a secure atmosphere for the group we serve and defend.”