On the night of June 15, 2024 a yearly Juneteenth festival in Round Rock, Texas descended into pandemonium when gunfire broke out, resulting in two fatalities and 14 injuries. The shooting took place at approximately 10:50 p.m. at Old Settlers Park, a favored location for the annual event.
The Round Rock Police Department reported that a dispute occurred between two groups near the vendor stalls. Amid the ensuing chaos, at least one person produced a firearm and began shooting. “It breaks your heart for a family that was coming out to enjoy their evening, and now their life is forever changed as a result of somebody who couldn’t care less about somebody else’s life,” said Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks during a press conference.
The victims who lost their lives in the incident were identified as Ara Duke, 54, from Pflugerville, Texas and Lyndsey Vicknair, 33, from Manor, Texas. According to police officials, Duke and Vicknair were not involved in the initial dispute. Fourteen additional individuals, including four adults and two children, were transported to local trauma centers with potentially severe injuries.
Emergency response units at the scene acted rapidly, applying tourniquets and performing CPR to save lives. Their immediate actions were vital in managing the direct aftermath of the shooting. The Austin-Travis County EMS played a key role in moving the injured to hospitals for further medical attention.
The investigation is still underway, but the Lonestar Fugitive Task Force arrested 17-year-old Ricky Thompson III on Thursday morning, June 20 in Pflugerville. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and is being held in the Williamson County Jail.
The Round Rock Police Department is encouraging anyone with more information or evidence about other suspects, such as photos or videos of the incident, to assist in the investigation. Chief Banks emphasized their goal to incarcerate the guilty parties for life.
The park’s Sunday morning activities were canceled to facilitate the investigation and ensure public safety, but the park reopened by the afternoon for Father’s Day events. The Juneteenth Festival, a long-standing Round Rock event that celebrates African American freedom and culture, is organized by local nonprofit organizations in cooperation with the city government.