A man wearing a zombie costume allegedly stabbed two people at an Austin, Texas, coffee shop on Wednesday night before fleeing in a pickup truck. One victim suffered life-threatening injuries, while the other sustained injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Police said the suspect was later arrested after officers found him on a walking trail about three miles from the scene. He also allegedly struck an unoccupied autonomous vehicle during his escape.
| 1) | Police identify the alleged attacker |
|---|---|
| 2) | Stabbings reported at Austin coffee shop |
| 3) | Suspect allegedly flees and hits robotaxi |
| 4) | Search leads to arrest on walking trail |
| 5) | Charges filed in Travis County |
Police identify the alleged attacker
The Austin Police Department identified the suspect as Shankar Temple Grace, 20. Authorities said he was arrested after officers conducted a search following the incident. Police reported that he was wearing a Halloween costume when the alleged attack occurred, and a witness described the costume as a zombie outfit with makeup covering the suspect’s face.
The allegations remain subject to the legal process. Officials have not publicly established a motive for the reported attack, and the available information does not indicate whether the suspect knew either victim.
Stabbings reported at Austin coffee shop
The incident occurred shortly before a comedy show was scheduled to begin at The Buzz Mill, a coffee shop and bar in Austin. Police responded to a report of a disturbance inside the business. Authorities characterized the call as a rapidly escalating altercation involving an immediate threat to life or serious physical harm.
First responders found two injured people at the location. One victim had life-threatening injuries, while the second had injuries described as non-life-threatening. Both were taken to a hospital, and authorities later said they were in stable condition. People at the establishment also told investigators that the man had caused a disturbance at the bar before the stabbings, according to information reported after the incident.
Suspect allegedly flees and hits robotaxi
After the reported stabbing, the suspect allegedly left the coffee shop in a pickup truck and sped away. During the escape, the truck struck an unoccupied autonomous vehicle, commonly described as a robotaxi. No injuries were reported in connection with the vehicle collision.
The crash became part of the sequence of events investigated by police as they worked to locate the suspect. Officials have not reported additional details about the extent of damage to either vehicle or identified the operator of the autonomous vehicle.
Search leads to arrest on walking trail
Austin officers launched a search after receiving reports of the stabbings and the suspect’s flight. Police eventually found him on a walking trail approximately three miles from The Buzz Mill. The arrest ended the immediate search and allowed investigators to begin processing the reported crime scene and the vehicle collision.
The arrest followed a response involving police, first responders and hospital staff. Authorities have not disclosed how long the search lasted or whether any weapon was recovered. The reported costume and witness descriptions were among the details associated with the effort to identify the suspect.
Charges filed in Travis County
Shankar Temple Grace was booked into the Travis County Jail and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Each charge is classified as a second-degree felony. The charges correspond to the two people police said were attacked inside the coffee shop.
A criminal charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The case is expected to proceed through the Travis County judicial system, where further court records may provide additional information about the allegations and any legal response.
| 1 | Two people were allegedly stabbed at an Austin coffee shop. |
|---|---|
| 2 | One victim suffered life-threatening injuries, and both victims were reported stable after hospitalization. |
| 3 | The suspect allegedly fled in a pickup truck and struck an unoccupied autonomous vehicle. |
| 4 | Police found and arrested the suspect on a walking trail about three miles away. |
| 5 | He faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. |
Summary
Police say a 20-year-old man in a zombie costume attacked two people at an Austin coffee shop, fled in a pickup truck and struck an unoccupied robotaxi. After a search, officers located and arrested him on a nearby walking trail. The victims were hospitalized, and the suspect faces two aggravated assault charges in Travis County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested?
Austin police identified the suspect as Shankar Temple Grace, 20.
Where did the alleged attack occur?
The reported stabbings occurred at The Buzz Mill, a coffee shop and bar in Austin, Texas, shortly before a scheduled comedy show.
What happened to the victims?
One victim suffered life-threatening injuries and the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Both were taken to a hospital and were later reported stable.
What charges does the suspect face?
He was booked into the Travis County Jail on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.
