Just before 9 p.m. on Oct 28, a man in a zombie costume turned a neighborhood coffee shop into a crime scene.
Key points
- Two patrons were stabbed at Buzz Mill Coffee; both are now in stable condition after hospital treatment.
- The suspect, Shankar Temple Grace, was arrested wearing a zombie costume and faces two felony assault charges.
- APD is intensifying security measures for Halloween weekend, including street closures and increased patrols.
- Police have not released a motive for the stabbing and are seeking public tips.
Austin police responded to a disturbance at Buzz Mill Coffee, 1505 Town Creek Drive, after reports of a stabbing just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct 28. Officers and ATCEMS found two patrons with stab wounds – one classified as life‑threatening and the other as non‑life‑threatening – and transported both to a local hospital where they are now listed as stable.
Investigators located the suspect, 20‑year‑old Shankar Temple Grace, on a nearby walking trail near Rosewood and Chestnut Avenues. Grace, who was wearing a zombie costume at the time, was taken into custody and booked on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He remains in the Travis County Jail, and police have not disclosed a motive for the attack.
Incident details
Local regular Joe Blackman described arriving at the coffee shop as the incident unfolded, noting the rapid arrival of emergency personnel and the palpable fear among bystanders. "It’s very different when you’re there and your heart starts to race," Blackman said, adding that he left the area once the scene was secured.
The Austin Police Department (APD) said the stabbing comes as the city prepares for an estimated 80,000‑100,000 visitors expected for Halloween weekend. APD officials, including spokesperson Christopher Juusola, highlighted the unusual timing of a costume‑related crime and outlined plans for street closures, anti‑vehicle barriers, and additional patrols to protect crowded downtown districts, especially around Sixth Street.
Police response and suspect
APD also warned that the end of Daylight Saving Time will give revelers an extra hour of nighttime activity, potentially increasing alcohol‑related incidents. The department urged anyone with information about the Oct 28 stabbing to contact its Aggravated Assault unit at 512‑974‑5245.
Reader questions
What exactly happened at Buzz Mill Coffee on Oct 28?
Police were called to a disturbance just before 9 p.m. and found two people with stab wounds. The suspect, later identified as Shankar Temple Grace, was arrested nearby while wearing a zombie costume.
How is Austin preparing for the Halloween weekend after the stabbing?
The Austin Police Department is implementing street closures, anti‑vehicle barriers, and additional patrols in downtown areas, and has issued safety tips for rideshare passengers and event‑goers.
Source: fox7austin.com
