Authorities in Austin, Texas, have released the mugshot of the oldest suspect in a weekend shooting spree that left four people injured and involved 12 separate incidents across the city. The suspect, 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, is one of three teenagers accused of carrying out a series of attacks that included shootings at vehicles, homes, and fire stations over two days.
Timeline of Violence
According to the Austin Police Department, the spree began on Saturday, May 16, with the theft of a firearm and a vehicle. The first confirmed shooting occurred at 3:58 p.m. at a trailer residence on Yucca Drive, where shell casings were found but no injuries reported. Over the next several hours, shootings continued at apartment complexes, homes, and businesses, with the suspects using stolen vehicles. By Sunday, the violence escalated, culminating in a shooting that left a victim with life-threatening injuries.
Arrests Made
Mondragon and a 15-year-old suspect were apprehended after a police chase involving a stolen vehicle. The third suspect, aged 16, was captured later at a gas station in Manor, Texas. All three face multiple charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and theft of a firearm. Police credited license plate reader technology for helping locate the suspects.
Investigators believe the shootings were a mix of random and targeted attacks, with some victims known to the suspects. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities process evidence.
