Parts of South Austin were locked down, four people were left wounded and three teenagers now face mounting allegations after what investigators described as a chaotic series of shootings that unfolded across Texas’ capital over the course of a weekend.

Authorities say the violence stretched across multiple locations, triggering shelter-in-place warnings, emergency police responses and a citywide search before officers finally tracked down three suspects believed to be connected to the incidents.

Now, as investigators work to piece together exactly what happened, the mother of one of the accused teenagers is speaking publicly about her son’s struggles — and the difficult reality of seeing him accused in a case that has shaken Austin.

Police said the shootings unfolded over a roughly daylong period and left four people hurt, including one victim who suffered life-threatening injuries.

Investigators believe several of the shootings appeared random, creating fear in neighborhoods where residents suddenly found themselves sheltering inside homes while officers searched for suspects.

Austin police said three teenagers were ultimately taken into custody.

Two suspects are juveniles, ages 15 and 16, while a third suspect — identified by authorities as 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon — has been publicly named because Texas law allows the release of information for suspects who have reached the age of criminal responsibility.

Mondragon faces multiple allegations, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest and theft of a firearm.

Police have indicated additional charges could follow as investigators continue reviewing evidence.

The younger suspects have not been publicly identified.

Authorities said the investigation remains active and emphasized detectives are still working to determine the full scope of the violence and whether additional criminal allegations may be warranted.

As police continue their work, the mother of one accused teenager has stepped forward to describe the personal struggles she says her son faced long before the weekend violence erupted.

Angie Tillman told KXAN that her 15-year-old son is among those accused.

She said receiving the phone call informing her that her child had been detained was one of the most difficult moments of her life.

“When they called me… I honestly thought he wasn’t with us anymore,” Tillman told the outlet.

Though devastated by the allegations, Tillman said knowing her son was alive and in custody brought an unexpected sense of relief.

“He’s detained, which actually made me feel better,” she said.

Her comments provide a glimpse into the personal turmoil surrounding the case, one that has raised broader questions about youth violence, mental health and parental responsibility.

Tillman said her son had struggled with significant challenges before his arrest.

According to her account, the teen dealt with substance abuse issues and mental health concerns, including suicidal thoughts.

She acknowledged that those factors, combined with outside influences and poor decision-making, may have contributed to the situation investigators now say spiraled into violence.

“This had to happen because it wasn’t going to stop,” Tillman said.

“He was just trying to be a cool kid.”

Despite expressing concern for her son’s wellbeing, Tillman made clear that she does not excuse what investigators allege happened.

“What he did was wrong, and I’m aware people were hurt,” she said.

“That was wrong.”

Police said four victims were injured during the shootings.

Authorities previously confirmed that one person remained in critical condition following the violence.

Investigators have not publicly released extensive information about the victims.

Tillman said she feels heartbroken knowing people were hurt.

She also believes accountability matters.

Her son, she said, should face consequences if allegations against him are proven.

At the same time, she hopes parents pay close attention to warning signs in their children’s lives.

“Keep them mentally and physically busy all the time,” Tillman said.

“Because if they’re not busy, they’re going to go out and find something to do — and it’s usually not a very good thing.”

Her comments come as online debate surrounding the case intensifies.

Social media reactions have included criticism aimed at parents of the accused teenagers, particularly because two suspects are minors.

Tillman pushed back against suggestions that parents automatically bear sole responsibility.

“Children are always going to make their own decisions,” she said.

“Sometimes it’s not the parents — sometimes it’s the crowd they hang out with.”

Police have provided only limited public details about exactly what led to the shootings.

Authorities previously described the investigation as highly complex.

The incidents stretched across multiple locations and involved numerous crime scenes.

Investigators have also been examining stolen vehicles allegedly tied to the suspects.

The scale of the investigation forced law enforcement resources to spread across large sections of Austin.

Residents in some neighborhoods received shelter-in-place alerts as officers searched for suspects.

Police eventually located and detained the teenagers.

Authorities have not publicly discussed a specific motive.

Investigators previously indicated some incidents appeared random while others may have involved people known to suspects.

That combination has made piecing together events particularly difficult.

Officials have emphasized that detectives are continuing to review surveillance footage, forensic evidence and witness statements.

Additional information could emerge as prosecutors formally evaluate potential charges.

For many Austin residents, the allegations have left lingering concerns about safety.

Communities across the city spent portions of the weekend watching emergency lights flash through neighborhoods while trying to understand what was happening.

Parents worried about children outside.

Residents sheltered indoors.

Police officers moved rapidly between scenes.

The investigation also highlights broader concerns surrounding youth violence.

Experts frequently point to combinations of mental health struggles, substance use, peer pressure and access to firearms as factors that can influence adolescent behavior.

Tillman’s account touched on several of those issues.

She described a teenager struggling internally while also navigating outside influences.

Authorities have not said whether mental health concerns played any role in the allegations.

Investigators continue focusing on evidence connected directly to the shootings.

Meanwhile, families affected by the violence face their own difficult recovery.

Four victims suffered injuries.

One remains in especially serious condition.

Police have not publicly released updates regarding recovery progress.

City leaders have praised officers involved in the response while acknowledging the fear experienced by residents.

Investigators continue urging anyone with information connected to the shootings to contact police.

Authorities believe additional evidence could help clarify remaining unanswered questions.

For Tillman, the reality remains deeply personal.

She says she is still trying to process how events unfolded.

At the center of the investigation is a child she raised.

At the center of public concern are victims whose lives were changed in an instant.

“What he did was wrong,” she said again.

The investigation now moves forward as prosecutors review evidence, police continue their work and Austin attempts to recover from a weekend authorities say left parts of the city gripped by violence.

For investigators, the focus remains on determining precisely how the shootings unfolded.

For victims, recovery continues.

And for one mother speaking publicly through heartbreak, the case has become both a criminal investigation and a painful reminder of how quickly lives can change.