Authorities swarmed downtown Austin following reports of gunfire at the city's flagship public library
At least one person was shot and the building was evacuated in what officials described as an active shooter scenario.
Austin Police Department (APD) officers, backed by SWAT teams, fire crews, and emergency medical services, locked down the area, blocking nearby streets and issuing shelter-in-place alerts via reverse 911 calls and social media.
"Responders are actively clearing the facility floor by floor," APD spokesperson Officer Destanie Sierra said in a brief statement to reporters gathered behind police tape. "One individual has been transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The public is urged to avoid the vicinity as we work to ensure the scene is secure."