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AUSTIN, Texas - Police officers arrested a suspect connected to an overnight mass shooting on East 6th Street near SXSW festivities in downtown Austin, according to the Austin Police Department (APD).
Four victims were shot around 2 a.m. and taken to hospitals Sunday with non-life-threatening injuries, Austin-Travis County EMS said. Officers were on patrol in the 400 block near Toulouse Bar when they heard several gunshots coming from that area, says APD.
A preliminary investigation shows the shooting started as a disturbance between two groups of people, APD says.
APD had seven times officers than normal in the entertainment district because of SXSW this weekend.
"I know they made over 30 arrests and arrested over 19 people with handguns on their persons," said Austin Police Association President Ken Casaday. "So it was a very busy night leading up to the shooting."