Police identified the suspect as Tang-Kang Dave Chiang, 38, and identified the victim who died on the scene as Laura Jauregui, 64.
It’s still not known what the relationship between Chiang, Jauregui and the other shooting victim was, per a Friday APD press release.
Teapioca, the boba tea enterprise, was shut down on Friday afternoon with one of its windows covered up.
Teapioca Lounge shared a post on its Facebook page on Friday regarding the shooting incident.
The company expressed its sincerest sympathies to Teapioca Lounge, a committed member of the Arboretum in Austin, Texas, and to the victims, families, and communities impacted by the recent unfortunate incident, in a Facebook post.
The post continued, stating that by demonstrating empathy and love instead of violence and hate, we can strengthen and rebuild our community. We will continue to stand by the Arboretum as we work towards a future of hope and healing.
The interim police chief stated that the police arrived seven minutes after the initial call. APD reported that Chiang, Jauregui, and an additional woman were discovered on the floor of the Teapicoa Lounge with bullet injuries. As per law enforcement, another unidentified woman was also found with gunshot wounds. She was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
On Friday, in a statement to KXAN, a representative from WPG, the proprietor of The Arboretum, stated, “For more details, please reach out to the Austin Police Department at (512) 974-5000.” As they collaborate closely with the Austin Police Department, they are examining this solitary occurrence. Ensuring the safety of our visitors, vendors, and staff remains our utmost concern. We are profoundly saddened by this irrational act.
She stated that there were no explosives found at the scene. In response to the scene, the bomb squad from the APD and the Bureau of Explosives and Fire, Tobacco, Alcohol (ATF) were dispatched, according to Henderson. Due to reports from some individuals claiming to have heard what they believed to be an explosion, the bomb squad from the APD and the Bureau of Explosives and Fire, Tobacco, Alcohol (ATF) responded to the scene, Henderson stated.
You may submit your tip anonymously by calling (512) 472-8477 or visiting austincrimestoppers.Org. Anyone with information about the suspect should contact APD’s Homicide Unit at (512) 974-TIPS.
According to authorities, this incident is currently being investigated as the 42nd homicide in Austin for the year 2023.
‘It’s horrifying’
KXAN spoke with a woman who was shopping in the area when the shooting occurred. Crystal, a reader of KXAN, told them that she received a text from her mom alerting her to the news. She said she stopped what she was doing and left.
Crystal expressed her fear, stating, “It’s truly frightening to realize that we were merely a few establishments away from where this incident occurred. My child attends school in this vicinity. I reside in this neighborhood. My father also resides here. It’s absolutely terrifying.”
Return to work
Many employees, who had been working when shots were fired, spoke to KXAN and said they were still shaken by the incident. Most businesses at the outdoor shopping mall, Arboretum, reopened on Friday.
Andrew Goforth, the manager of a Five Guys located just a few doors away from Teapioca, expressed, “Out of nowhere, on Friday, one of my staff members alerted me that a group of individuals were seen fleeing from the vicinity.” “It wasn’t until law enforcement and emergency vehicles began arriving in the parking lot that the majority of us became aware that something had occurred.”
During his work, Goforth mentioned that this is not the initial occurrence of a firearm-related incident, as he has been employed in the restaurant industry for 15 years.
He expressed concern about his team and his staff, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their optimistic mindset and taking all necessary actions to support them.
Goforth continued, “It’s difficult when you discover that such an event occurred, particularly to individuals who were simply seeking to enjoy their day. We are all striving to do our utmost.”