Austin Police have apprehended a suspect they believe is connected to the shooting incident that occurred at the Barton Creek Square Mall on Saturday, December 16. Vincent Gutierrez, a 19-year-old male, was arrested on Thursday and is now facing two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He has been booked into the Travis County jail.

The incident, which took place at around 5 p.m., prompted a swift response from authorities after reports of shots fired at the popular shopping mall. Upon arrival, police discovered one individual with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

According to investigators, the altercation unfolded when two groups of four men, who had initially met at the mall for a social media-based merchandise exchange, engaged in a physical confrontation that quickly escalated to gunfire. Remarkably, the victim was not acquainted with Gutierrez, as confirmed by the Austin Police Department (APD).

After the shooting, the suspects swiftly departed from the scene, leaving an anxious community and authorities puzzled over the motive and the individuals involved.

Despite preliminary assessments by the APD suggesting that this was an isolated incident, heightened security measures have been implemented in the area following the shooting. Austin Police officers have increased their patrols, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors frequenting the Barton Creek Square Mall.

The arrest of Vincent Gutierrez highlights the significant progress made by law enforcement in identifying and apprehending individuals deemed responsible for violent crimes. As the investigation continues, the public anxiously awaits further updates on the circumstances surrounding the incident and the potential involvement of any additional suspects.

With Gutierrez now in custody, the community can find some solace in the fact that local authorities are diligently working to bring those responsible for the Barton Creek Mall shooting to justice.