Austin gang members have targeted random victims, including an elderly woman who died Wednesday after she was hit in the face, in a burst of recent violence, says the Austin American-Statesman. Police are investigating the death of Jennie McClusky, 75 as a homicide. McClusky, whose purse was snatched outside a Taco Bell, fell face down during the attack and was severely injured.
McClusky's death followed a series of weekend drive-by shootings. Police said the recent crimes have stirred particular concern: Unlike many crimes, in which members attack rival groups, recent victims were chosen for no apparent reason. "It was just complete random violence," said Commander Chris Noble said. "We can't find anything at all to indicate this was targeted." Police have documented 25 Austin members of the Piru Blood gang, a subset of the Bloods, a notorious street gang founded in Los Angeles.
