The sole suspect in the fatal incident in which two people were killed and a further 23 were injured in the early hours of this morning (March 13) at SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, has been named, as have a number of the victims, including the two fatalities.
Austin Police Department named Rashad Owens, 21 of Killeen, Texas – which is 67 miles north of Austin – as the suspect. Earlier today, Owens was charged with two counts of capital murder. The fatalities have been named as Steven Craenmehr, 35, from Amsterdam, who worked for the MassiveMusic music agency and local woman Jamie Ranae West, 27. Austin Police Department have also released names of most of those injured, their ages ranging from 17 to 29. A list of names can be found at the bottom of the page.
Heavy reports that Owens has a string of previous convictions, including one for underage consumption of alcohol, a driving under the influence charge as well as for driving while intoxicated and criminal trespass, adding that there was an active warrant out for his arrest at the time of the crash.
Meanwhile, a fund has been set up in order to help the victims of the tragic event. “The SXSW Cares Fund will help people affected by the tragic events of March 13, 2014,” reads a statement released earlier today. “The funds will be disbursed to those most affected through a community-based process.” For more information, and to make donations, visit: SXSWcares.com.
James Moody, the owner of Mohawk, the venue outside which the incident took place, said of the fund: “We have spent today working with SXSW and the City to create a relief fund for the victims. This is our number one priority – their care and support. We are a community here that exists far beyond the 10 days of SXSW. Our intent is to come together to help the families of each and every one of the victims.”
Both venues on the block on which the crash took place re-open at 7pm tonight local time. SXSW founder Roland Swenson released a statement about the re-openings. “After talking with the Austin Police Department, we have determined that the most prudent course of action is to move forward with the SXSW shows scheduled at the Mohawk and Cheer Up Charlie’s tonight. If we were to turn away potentially thousands of people who will arrive to see the shows, it would create a serious safety issue,” he said. “To avoid confusion we plan to carry on in order to serve our tens of thousands of participants during this tragic time.”
Those injured in the incident include:
Evan West, 29, Male
Joseph McCraney, 26, Male
Endres Mason, 18, Female
Kartisha Davis, 18, Female
Greg Cerna, 19, Male
April Martinez, 29, Female
Ryan Freeman, 20, Male
Johannes Hailu, 39, Male
Maria Belyvia, 20, Female
Carolyn Grace, 19, Female
Jeff Chenzer, 29, Male
Ashley Easley, 20, Female
Jacob Gallegos, 20, Male
Erica Hall, 19, Female
Jane Henderson, 24, Female
William Josma, 29, Male
Juan Leura, 20, Male
Jaqueline Longhurst, 21, Female
Alexis Zamarippa, 17, Female