Austin police are investigating what they called “street racing incidents.” The incidents involved crowds taking over major intersections as drivers participated in “drifting” demonstrations. When police arrived, the crowd attacked the vehicles with fireworks, rocks, and other objects.
Multiple videos show the chaos that erupted in a major intersection in downtown Austin on Saturday night. Some of the videos show the crowds turning on police as they arrived to clear the streets. Police say people in the crowd threw rocks and fireworks at patrol vehicles damaging at least two.
In one video, fireworks appear to be fired at one of the police cars.
A nearby resident, Brian Hillsman, told KXAN News he saw 40-50 vehicles take over the streets with people hanging out of the windows.
Police in Austin Texas basically surrendered to rioters this weekend. pic.twitter.com/LJsdvfO6fP
— Kenny Webster (@KennethRWebster) February 19, 2023
“People were here with professional cameras. It was planned,” he told the reporter. He said it took 30-40 minutes for police to arrive through the crowded streets.
Chaos at Barton Springs and Lamar in #Austin. Rioters after a bunch of drifting push back police and throw fireworks at them @KXAN_News pic.twitter.com/FVMlK2S3eH
— Aaron Crews (@aaroncrews) February 19, 2023
The dangerous scene developed before police could arrive in one intersection near downtown.
Video taken from @snapchat of the drifting take over of Austin, TX. @GovAbbott pic.twitter.com/MSQXdtwXdX
— Jamie (@jamie2gs) February 19, 2023
“When the cops did finally show up, it took a while for them to have any sort of presence,” Hillsman stated. “It was unreal.”
Mayhem in South Austin. Drifting, fireworks, and a riot – oh my… pic.twitter.com/PGZJXkYS2k
— @amuse (@amuse) February 19, 2023
Travis County Sheriff’s Office officials reported that participants through objects, including large rocks at their patrol vehicles, the Austin American-Statesman reported. At least one of their vehicles had to be towed. No deputies were injured.
Austin police say they are investigating the incidents.
Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior news contributor for the Breitbart Texas-Border team. He is an original member of the Breitbart Texas team. Price is a regular panelist on Fox 26 Houston’s What’s Your Point? Sunday-morning talk show. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Face
Editor’s Note: This article has been updated with additional information regarding the types of attacks on Austin police officers and Travis County sheriff’s deputies.
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