Austin faced a grim 24-hour period over the weekend, marked by three separate homicide investigations. This surge in violence comes as the city grapples with a significant police staffing shortage, exacerbated by budget cuts in 2020 and a recently suspended partnership with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The first incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when officers conducted a welfare check at a residence. Inside, they discovered two deceased individuals, a man and a woman in their 70s, both with gunshot wounds. The incident is being investigated as a homicide.

Later that evening, police responded to a shooting near East 52nd Street and Cameron Road. A man was found dead at the scene with "obvious trauma to his body." Investigators believe the victim was shot after a verbal dispute with an acquaintance.

A third homicide investigation was launched at a gas station near the airport later that night. Details are limited, but police reported a man was killed in a "gun battle."

These incidents follow the city's recent decision to suspend its collaboration with the Texas DPS. The partnership, initiated in March due to rising crime rates, was halted after a controversial traffic stop conducted by state troopers. While initial reports suggested troopers had pointed a gun at a child, bodycam footage later revealed the trooper had his gun pointed down while addressing the driver, who lacked proper documentation for the vehicle.

Despite the suspension, Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed 30 additional state troopers to Austin. This move was praised by some city council members as a commitment to public safety, while others criticized the DPS's policing methods as incompatible with Austin's values. The city council maintains its commitment to addressing police staffing shortages while upholding residents' civil rights.

The Austin Police Association, meanwhile, contends that the city council has not acted on a negotiated contract, hindering efforts to address staffing issues. They express willingness to return to negotiations when the city is ready.