Man Arrested in Halloween Costume Stabbing at Austin Coffee Shop as Police Brace for Holiday Weekend

AUSTIN, Texas — A violent stabbing at a popular East Riverside coffee shop has left two people hospitalized and a community shaken just days before Halloween, while police across the city prepare for what could be one of the busiest and most complex weekends of the year.

According to reporting from FOX 7 Austin and official statements from the Austin Police Department, the attack unfolded Wednesday night at Buzz Mill Coffee, where authorities say a man wearing a Halloween costume stabbed two patrons before fleeing into the nearby neighborhood. The suspect was captured hours later and remains behind bars facing serious felony charges.

The incident has taken on added urgency because it coincides with Austin’s annual Halloween festivities, which draw tens of thousands of visitors to downtown entertainment districts. With a University of Texas football game, an Austin FC soccer match, and the end of daylight saving time all falling on the same weekend, police say they are staffing up and adjusting traffic patterns to manage crowds expected to reach between 80,000 and 100,000 people.

Stabbing at Buzz Mill Coffee Leaves Two Injured

Just before 9 p.m., Austin police officers responded to Buzz Mill Coffee for a reported disturbance. Officers and Austin-Travis County EMS arrived to find two people suffering from stab wounds. Both victims were transported to a local hospital; one was dealing with life-threatening injuries while the other sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities said both patients were in stable condition following treatment.

Officers searched the surrounding area and located a suspect on a nearby walking trail near Rosewood and Chestnut Avenues. That individual was later identified as Shankar Temple Grace and booked into the Travis County Jail.

Suspect Identified as 20-Year-Old With Prior Record

Grace, 20, faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Court records reviewed in the report indicate a criminal history in Bastrop County dating back to 2023, with prior charges including evading arrest, reckless driving, and resisting arrest.

Austin police confirmed that Grace was wearing a zombie costume during the stabbing. While officials said they do not typically see individuals using costumes to commit crimes downtown, they acknowledged that the seasonal timing likely played a role in the unusual circumstances.

Police did not release information on a potential motive. Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact APD’s Aggravated Assault unit at 512-974-5245.

Witness Describes Chaotic Scene Outside Popular Coffee Shop

Joe Blackman, a longtime regular at Buzz Mill Coffee, arrived at the scene just as emergency personnel were responding. He described an atmosphere of confusion and concern as the ambulance departed and police moved in.

“I had just arrived as the incident happened. So, everything was starting to unfold. The ambulance was leaving, the police were arriving, and I think there was a real sense of people who were outside of the venue as to what was going on. It’s very different when you’re there and your heart starts to race and especially something that’s unfolding and there’s an active, not caught person on the loose. You know, it does start to worry you. So, you know, I left the area.”

Blackman said he left the neighborhood shortly after arriving because of the uncertainty surrounding an at-large suspect.

Austin Police Prepare for Massive Halloween Weekend Crowds

The stabbing comes as the Austin Police Department braces for an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 people to flock to downtown entertainment districts for Halloween. To manage the massive crowds, police are implementing street closures, anti-vehicle barriers, and fencing intended to safeguard pedestrians and keep emergency access lanes open.

Logistics will be further tested by a confluence of major weekend events, including a University of Texas football game, an Austin FC match, and the end of daylight saving time. Police noted that gaining an extra hour overnight presents additional safety challenges.

“It’s a tremendous deal for us,” Christopher Juusola of the Austin Police Department said during a press conference. “Usually we are used to visitors consuming alcohol for a certain period of time and if you give them an extra hour to consume alcohol, it’s going to cause more problems. Usually, with more intoxicated people, we see more fights down on Sixth Street.”

Street Closures, Barriers, and Rideshare Changes Planned for Downtown

Police also issued a key safety tip for late-night partygoers: rideshare drivers will not have access to Sixth Street during the closures, so passengers should plan to meet their drivers on either Fifth Street or Seventh Street.

Authorities emphasized that the barriers and street closures are designed to protect crowds while maintaining access for emergency vehicles. The operational plan reflects the department’s effort to balance public celebration with public safety during one of Austin’s highest-traffic holiday weekends.

Community Urges Resilience Amid Heightened Safety Concerns

Despite the frightening scene at his neighborhood hangout, Blackman expressed resolve as the weekend approached.

“There’s always going to be bad people, right?” Blackman said. “But that can’t stop us going about our daily lives and having fun.”

The investigation into the stabbing remains active. As Austin prepares for a crowded Halloween weekend, officials are urging vigilance while reminding residents that isolated violence should not disrupt normal community life. Information in the report comes from the Austin Police Department, interviews with locals, and reporting by FOX 7 Austin’s Jenna King.

News, Society, Law, Government, Communities, Austin, Texas, Travis County, Halloween, Stabbing, Buzz Mill Coffee, Austin Police Department, Public Safety, Crime, Holidays