The man police say drove into a crowd of SXSW-goers in Austin early this morning, killing two and injuring 23, was in a car stolen from a soldier and had an outstanding arrest warrant, authorities said this afternoon.
The Associated Press reports that the man has been named as 21-year-old Rashad Owens of Killeen, which is between Austin and Dallas and home to the Fort Hood military installation.
And The San Antonio Express-News adds that a Fort Hood soldier reported his stolen car — a gray Honda Civic and not a Toyota sedan as originally reported — was the vehicle used in the fatal crash. Owens himself is not a soldier.
Police say they stopped Owens on suspicion of drunk driving near Interstate 35, but he fled the wrong way onto Ninth Street before crashing into a crowd on Red River Street in front of the Mohawk nightclub. Owens tried to flee on foot but was subdued by an officer with a stungun, police said.
Owens also has an outstanding arrest warrant in Alaska for failing to appear in court for a 2012 criminal mischief charge. The Austin American-Statesman reports he was arrested several times in Alaska, including for driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident.
He now faces two counts of capital murder and 23 counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle.
Photo credit WFAA Dallas