Gunshots fired, man arrested at SXSW 2016
Austin police have remanded one person in custody after gunshots were fired into the air early Sunday morning (Australian overnight).
The incident sent a large crowd running near the intersection of Sixth Street and Trinity Street at around 1:30am CT during celebrations at South by Southwest 2016.
Police have said no one was injured and a suspect was arrested a short time later with the gun recovered at the scene.
APD on scene at shots fired call at 6th and Trinity. Suspect fired rounds into air, no injuries. Suspect captured and gun recovered. WC 6
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 20, 2016
22-year-oldRondarius Spicer,who apparently lives in the Bell County city ofKilleen, was arrested at around 1:55am CT. He has beencharged with a misdemeanor weapons charge. Police have said he will face a felony charge for deadly conduct for discharging a deadly weapon.He remains in Travis County jail.
Scroll down to watch footage of the crowd near by Trinity Hall at Old School Bar & Grill below. You can hear the shots at the 1:38 mark.
The arrest follows the evacuation of Austin Music Hall on Friday when someone allegedly tried to enter the venue with a gun. Although no shots were fired, nor an arrest made, police decided to evacuate the venue after 150 punters allegedly rushed the exit doors past security.
Unfortunately this isn’t the first time police have been forced to become heavily involved at SXSW. 21-year-old Texan Rashad Charjuan Owenswas charged with capital murder for the deaths offour people following a horrific car crash at the 2014 SXSW. 18-year-old DeAndre Tatum, 35-year-old MassiveMusic employee Steven Craenmehr, 26-year-old Mississippi native Sandy Thuy Le, and27-year-old Austin local Jamie West died as a result of the crash. In addition to those killed, 20 people were injured. Owenshas been sentenced to life in prison.
Tomorrow is the final day of SXSW with an expected 75,000 people in attendance. Of those, a record 1000 Australians attended the music, film and interactive festival and conference. From a total of 250 local applications for showcases 45 Australian acts performed this year, including DMA’S, Gold Class, Methyl Ethyl and Pretty City.