On the evening of June 15, 2024, an annual Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock, Texas, turned tragic when a shooting incident left two people dead and 14 others wounded. The shooting took place at around 10:50 p.m. at Old Settlers Park, a commonly used location for the yearly festival.
The Round Rock Police Department revealed that a dispute erupted between two groups near the vendor’s area. Amid the ensuing chaos, a person produced a firearm and started 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 in a media briefing.
The victims who lost their lives in the shooting were identified as Ara Duke, 54, from Pflugerville, and Lyndsey Vicknair, 33, from Manor. Both Duke and Vicknair were not part of the initial altercation. Fourteen other individuals, comprised of four adults and two children, were transported to local trauma centers with injuries of varying severity.
First responders on the scene worked quickly, applying tourniquets and performing CPR, actions that were instrumental in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. The Austin-Travis County EMS played a pivotal role in transporting the injured to hospitals for further care.
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. A second male juvenile was arrested on Friday night.
The Round Rock Police Department is calling for anyone with pertinent information or evidence, such as images or videos of the incident, to step forward and assist in the investigation. Chief Banks emphasized their goal is to put the culprits behind bars for life.
The scheduled activities for Sunday morning at the park were called off to facilitate the ongoing investigation and to ensure public safety. The park, however, reopened by the afternoon for Father’s Day events. The Juneteenth Festival, a community tradition celebrating African American freedom and culture, is coordinated by local nonprofit organizations in collaboration with the city government.
