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Austin police investigating assault of trans woman at Barton Springs as possible hate crime
By Andrew Weber
July 30, 2025 at 11:08 AM CDT
Austin police are looking for a man accused of assaulting at least two people last weekend near the Barton Creek spillway.
The Austin Police Department said the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. A post on Reddit said three men harassed and assaulted a trans woman and her friends near the spillway on the other side of the Barton Springs Pool. According to accounts, a bystander stepped in and was seriously injured.
APD did not identify the suspect or the victims, but said a man was treated by Austin-Travis County EMS and taken to a hospital. Police said "an unknown male began a verbal altercation, which escalated into a physical assault involving multiple individuals" and that a bystander was injured.
The bystander's parents started a GoFundMe for his medical expenses, which had raised nearly $55,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. They said their son has gashes on his head, a concussion and a broken jaw.
APD is asking witnesses or anyone with video or other information to call police at 512-974-2000 or the Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS. People can also report tips anonymously on the Austin Crime Stoppers site.
The Austin Police Department said the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. A post on Reddit said three men harassed and assaulted a trans woman and her friends near the spillway on the other side of the Barton Springs Pool. According to accounts, a bystander stepped in and was seriously injured.
APD did not identify the suspect or the victims, but said a man was treated by Austin-Travis County EMS and taken to a hospital. Police said "an unknown male began a verbal altercation, which escalated into a physical assault involving multiple individuals" and that a bystander was injured.
The bystander's parents started a GoFundMe for his medical expenses, which had raised nearly $55,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. They said their son has gashes on his head, a concussion and a broken jaw.
APD is asking witnesses or anyone with video or other information to call police at 512-974-2000 or the Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS. People can also report tips anonymously on the Austin Crime Stoppers site.