Austin Stabbing: One Dead, Three Injured During Stabbing At Coffee Shop And Restaurant

Austin, Texas, police held a suspect in the stabbing death of one person and the injuring of two others at a Texas coffee shop and neighboring restaurant on Friday.

The incident began at Bennu Coffee Shop with an altercation between an elderly man and the alleged suspect, 27. The suspect allegedly struck the elderly man in the back of his head with an object before fleeing. Two patrons attempted to stop the man as police arrived, but the suspect broke free.

“I feel like everybody immediately responded because they saw this man being assaulted,” witness Stacy Romine told Austin NBC-affiliate, KXAN. “My reaction — I think I probably screamed and said to stop him. Someone on his laptop, another gentleman, jumped on top of him. People are trying to stop him — even a police officer came through the door. And there’s four men trying to, like, hold this guy down and couldn’t keep him apprehended and he ran toward the door.”

The suspect ran into a nearby restaurant, Freebirds World Burrito, where he allegedly stabbed two people before climbing to the roof. One of the victims said to be in his 20s was pronounced dead at the scene. The other victim, described as in his 50s, was rushed to a nearby hospital with injuries described as life-threatening.

Police chased the suspect onto the roof of a third business. They said the suspect jumped, injuring himself, and was captured.

Freebirds World Burrito CEO Alex Eagle issued a statement following the incident, saying:

“Freebirds World Burrito is cooperating with authorities who are investigating the incident that took place at our South Congress location. Our thoughts are with our Tribe members and their families who have been affected by this tragedy. The location will remain closed until further notice, and we ask for respect of our Tribe members’ privacy during this difficult time.”