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Austinites take to Twitter to recount mass shooting, calling for more strict gun policies

As violent crime ticks up in Austin and the city experienced the latest mass shooting on Sixth Street Saturday morning, Austinites voiced their thoughts on social media.
The shooting sent 14 bystanders to the hospital—two in critical condition. One suspect has been caught, while another remains at large.
The incident has gained national attention, including a statement from the White House:
"This morning, Austin has become just the latest American community to wake up ravaged by an act of senseless gun violence," White House spokesperson Ike Hajinazarian said. "While we pray for the shooting's victims and their families — and thank first responders for their quick, heroic work — we must not lose sight of what this tragedy again makes clear: it's long past time for the Senate to pass meaningful gun reform and allow Texans—and all Americans—to enjoy a night out without the fear of another night of gun violence."
Gov. Greg Abbott shared a statement on Twitter thanking police and inviting Austinites to join wife Cecelia and "I in prayer for those who were injured," prompting backlash from hundreds of followers, largely surrounding the upcoming bill that will allow unlicensed open carry.
This mass shooting is your fault too, @GregAbbott_TX. You've made TX streets even more dangerous. You and Cecilia may as well use your pointless prayers for yourself-you don't really give a 💩. #AbbottFailedTexasAgain
— Heels Hater (@HKR30754663) June 12, 2021
Though the bill has yet to be signed into law, Abbott has said he will sign the bill despite objections from law enforcement groups.
Law enforcement specifically asked you not to pass permitless carry but you happily signed that bill, making no one safer. Forgive me if I don't believe you really care about anyone injured or killed in gun violence or the people who have to respond.
— LauraB'sProVoting #TeamDemocracy 🇺🇸⚾️🌭🥧 (@lulujb520) June 12, 2021
Prominent Austin City Council Member Gregorio Casar also commented on the incident, calling to "double down" on efforts to reduce violence. Several people responded, placing blame on Casar for writing the plan to defund the police.
@MayorAdler and you defunded police, police numbers dropped, emergency response times skyrocketed, and now a mass shooting. Y'all are doing a bang-up job comrade.
Sad we haven't caught the criminal, & you're already pressing an agenda. I bet the gun wasn't purchased legally.
— Eric G. (@BearNATX) June 12, 2021
While investigators are confident that they will catch the other suspect, Interim Police Chief Joseph Chacon said that with low staff levels, responding to violent calls is getting increasingly difficult. Police said they believe Austin is still a "safe city," though residents should remain alert and exercise caution while visiting downtown.
As Sixth Street is usually one of the busiest entertainment districts, it is usually highly policed. Still, some Austinites said they were afraid themselves, having been to the street themselves.
Don't even know how to react right now. I'm just crushed. Heard approx 16 people shot downtown on Sixth Street tonight and here I was watching footage of a show tonight at The Venue. Suddenly I'm looking at footage of bodies in the street. Feeling sick to my stomach
— Justin Hawkes (Flite) (@ItsJustinHawkes) June 12, 2021
The We Are Blood community blood center is asking for donations to replenish its supply after using blood and platelet donations to treat patients involved in the shooting. Austin police are also asking for anyone with information to call 911 or 512-472-TIPS.
- Sixth Street shows packed street with no masks after governors ... ›
- 2 men in Sixth Street stabbing downtown Austin, APD reports ... ›
- Sixth Street leaves 13 people injured, suspect still at large - austonia ›
- What we do and don't know about the 6th Street shooting - austonia ›
- Permitless carry goes into effect today in Texas. Here's what you need to know - austonia ›
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(Moriah Wilson/Instagram)
Austin police are investigating the killing of Moriah "Mo" Wilson after she was found with gunshot wounds inside an Austin home.
Wilson, a gravel and mountain bike racer, was visiting Austin from Colorado in preparation for the Gravel Locos race on Saturday taking place in Hico, a small town 2 hours from Austin.
On Wednesday, her roommate came home and found Wilson unresponsive with "a lot of blood near her,” police said. It is now being investigated as a suspicious death. No further information on the suspect or motive behind the killing are available at this time.
Wilson recently had become a full-time biker after winning a slew of races in the past year.
(Pexels)
Some of your favorite Instagram filters can’t be used in Texas anymore and Austinites are sounding off on social media.
Meta, Facebook and Instagram’s parent company, announced on Wednesday that certain filters would no longer be available in Texas.
The change is a result of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s lawsuit against Meta, alleging the company uses facial recognition technology that violates laws in Texas. A release from Meta says it stopped using facial recognition tech in November 2021 and denies Paxton’s allegations.
Some Austinites bemoaned the shift, saying some of their favorite filters were now unavailable.
This was my FAVORITE filter on @instagram and they done removed it cause I’m in Texas ! Like wowwwwww pic.twitter.com/uX60hdIC0Q
— Pinkyy Montana (@inkstar_pinkyy) May 11, 2022
i heard that instagram filters got banned in texas? what the actual fuck y’all better give me my favorite filter back
— lia 🤍 (@liatootrill) May 11, 2022
loved this stupid filter sm i hate texas pic.twitter.com/DXr9mmUc64
— birthday boy jeno 🎂 (@beabtox) May 12, 2022
But more often than not, locals joked about the ban.
Texas women seeing the filter ban on IG pic.twitter.com/yDMcP3Qtsr
— Christian (Anabolic) Flores (@christian_flo24) May 11, 2022
So, the state of Texas has banned filter use on IG? THE END IS NEAR. 😂
— THE FRANCHISE! Франшиза (@NYCFranchise718) May 12, 2022
And some in-between chose to show off some natural beauty.
I live in Texas, but no filter needed. 😉 pic.twitter.com/A6teRgYMKn
— bad and bruja (@starseedmami) May 11, 2022
filter, no filter..texas women still reign supreme.
— 🎍 (@_sixile) May 11, 2022
Finally, some are trying to cash in on the opportunity.
Texas IG users- if you want to filter your picture cashapp me $1.50 $ErvnYng
— Gemini (@ervn_y) May 11, 2022
Meta said it plans to create an opt-in system for both Texas and Illinois residents, who are facing the same issues.