Crime & Safety
One Short-Term Rental House Damaged, Shots Fired At Another During SXSW
Incidents come as longtime residents have complained of increasing number of short-term rentals in their neighborhoods where folks party.
EAST AUSTIN, TX — Police continue to investigate an early Saturday incident at a short-term rental home where shots were fired and people injured trying to flee during SXSW and another incident at a separate property that sustained damage, according to a published report.
The shooting incident occurred along the 100 block of East Odell Street just west of Interstate 35 on Saturday at around 2:45 a.m., according to the Austin American-Statesman. Police said no one had been detained, but they had a brief description of the suspect. The report adds that those hurt sustained their injuries while trying to flee, but no gunshot wounds were reported. The injured people went to area hospitals on their own rather than being transported via ambulance.
APD is not currently working any shooting incidents at SXSW. -WC
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) March 19, 2017
The incident occurred the day after another incident reported by local author Georgia Pellegrini, who said on social media an Airbnb renter had "destroyed my home” in the 1700 block of Giles Street on Friday. They had weapons and drugs and shots were fired as police arrived,” she wrote on Twitter. “25 casings found.”She added: “There were drugs. Everything I own is ruined.”
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Pellegrini has deleted her tweets about the incident, and the Statesman reported she couldn't be reached for comment on Sunday. The newspaper added that last week, Instagram user Kreamsd announced he was co-hosting a “SXSW loft party” Thursday night at Pellegrini’s address. General admission into the party was $10 except for women, who got in free, according to the report. Guests were urged to bring their own drinks.
Kreamsd did not respond Sunday to requests for comment from the Statesman, according to the report.
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Longtime residents of East Austin have long complained of the encroachment of short-term rental properties in their midst, describing a party-like atmosphere occurring there as people come to events like SXSW to celebrate, often at all hours of the night.
Image via Shutterstock
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