Two Jarrell football players are dead following a shooting at a hookah lounge in North Austin last weekend. As per the Austin Police Department, the shooting happened at the Moon Palace Hookah Lounge. Five other victims endured gunshot wounds.
APD received numerous 911 calls around 10 pm. Officers arrived minutes later and performed life-saving measures on the victims until EMS arrived.
Jarrell ISD confirmed that Brayden Bolyard and JaiTron Tatum died at the hospital following the incident.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the students’ families and loved ones. We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help our students and staff members through this difficult time,” superintendent Toni Hicks said in a statement.
Both students were set to graduate this year.
The police identified the incident as capital murder. A person of interest has been arrested and had a prior history with one of the victims.
The district will hold a candlelight vigil. The date has not yet been determined.
The deaths contributed to the state’s capital of eight total in 2023.
