17-year-old charged with terrorism for alleged role in shootings

Cristian Mondragon, the 17-year-old facing multiple charges related to a string of shootings last month, has now been charged with terrorism, according to Travis County court records.

Investigators arrested Mondragon and two minors in connection with a series of shootings, thefts and burglaries on May 16 and 17. The cases – spanning all across Austin – injured four people and prompted shelter-in-place alerts. Mondragon’s attorney told KXAN he has no comment at this time.

In the latest update according to a new arrest affidavit filed Monday, police believe Mondragon’s actions – which he already faces several aggravated assault charges, among others for – also met the legal criteria for a terrorism charge.

“These actions created a substantial risk of death and serious bodily injury to members of the public and were reasonably calculated to generate widespread fear, alarm and disruption within the community,” court documents read. “Based on the totality of the circumstances, investigators believe the suspect’s actions were intended to intimidate or coerce the public and disrupt normal governmental and public safety operations.”

Read more: KXAN