Chaos Erupts in Texas Capital: Busy Intersection Taken Over, Cops Attacked

Austin police are investigating what they called “street racing incidents.” The incidents involved crowds taking over major intersections as drivers participated in “drifting” demonstrations. When police arrived, the crowd attacked the vehicles with fireworks, rocks, and other objects.

Multiple videos show the chaos that erupted in a major intersection in downtown Austin on Saturday night. Some of the videos show the crowds turning on police as they arrived to clear the streets. Police say people in the crowd threw rocks and fireworks at patrol vehicles damaging at least two.

In one video, fireworks appear to be fired at one of the police cars.

A nearby resident, Brian Hillsman, told KXAN News he saw 40-50 vehicles take over the streets with people hanging out of the windows.

“People were here with professional cameras. It was planned,” he told the reporter. He said it took 30-40 minutes for police to arrive through the crowded streets.

The dangerous scene developed before police could arrive in one intersection near downtown.

“When the cops did finally show up, it took a while for them to have any sort of presence,” Hillsman stated. “It was unreal.”

Travis County Sheriff’s Office officials reported that participants through objects, including large rocks at their patrol vehicles, the Austin American-Statesman reported. At least one of their vehicles had to be towed. No deputies were injured.

Austin police say they are investigating the incidents.