Police in Central Texas are investigating a deadly mass shooting that claimed the life of a North Texas native. Lyndsey Vicknair of Mansfield was one of two people killed and 14 others who were hurt. NBC 5’s Alicia Barrera spoke with family members preparing to say goodbye to the mother of three.
A North Texas native is among the victims killed in a shooting at a Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock last weekend.
Lyndsey Vicknair was well-known and loved by many in Mansfield. She and her husband Kevin were attending a Juneteenth celebration at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, about 20 miles north of downtown Austin, when someone started shooting during a concert.
The Vicknairs were eating when they heard gunshots just before 11 p.m.
“She said, ‘I’m hit’,” Kevin said through tears during a press conference on Monday, adding that he gave his wife CPR before she died.
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Lyndsey Vicknair and another person, Ara Duke, were pronounced dead at the scene. Several others were injured.
Kevin and Lyndsey were raising their three children, ages 1 to 7, in their Central Texas home. On Sunday Kevin had to tell their children that their mom was never coming home.
“It was a sense of disbelief,” said Dr. Michael Evans, Senior Pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church. “I've known Lyndsey Vicknair since she was a child. She was baptized in this church."
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Evans said he got a call from Lyndsey’s mother at about 11 p.m. Saturday.
“My wife and I, (and) members of the church, we took off to Austin. And we, of course, discovered that it wasn't a nightmare. It was real that something tragic like this would happen to a woman who was such a nice lady. Just an awesome person," Evans said. “She is a Mansfield High School product. She is, I think, the symbol of what you would want in an All-American young woman. Her parents have a business here in Mansfield. They're a philanthropic family. She's a philanthropist herself.”
Lyndsey was a respected attorney based in the Austin region. On Monday afternoon, the Austin Bar Association released a brief statement offering condolences to those who knew Lyndsey.
“Austin Bar and AYLA member Lyndsey D. Vicknair of The Chapman Firm was killed at the Round Rock Juneteenth concert. Our prayers go out to her husband, Kevin, and their three children,” the statement said.
According to her employer’s website, Lyndsey’s legal career encompassed a variety of matters, including business, construction, media, and entertainment law.
“Prior to joining The Chapman Firm, Lyndsey acted as Attorney-Advisor for the United States Army Corps of Engineers on various construction-related matters,” the website stated. “Lyndsey was named a Texas Super Lawyer “Rising Star” in the area of Construction Litigation in 2023 as reported in Super Lawyers magazine; Thomson Reuters.”
Evans said Lyndsey loved to give back to her community in Mansfield.
“If you needed food in the food pantry, she was that person who would bring boxes of canned goods during hurricanes and tornadoes,” Evans said. “When we were doing mission work, she'd be that person to bring those donations … She taught her children (the same). In regard to their birthdays, rather than them receiving birthday gifts, they would be involved in community service. They would be giving on their birthday."
Now, her husband, family, and friends are preparing to pay their respects and celebrate all Lyndsey has accomplished in her 33 years. Loved ones have also set up a GoFundMe campaign to support Vicknair's family.
“We’ve lost a person who is a giver,” Evans said. “She’s an awesome wife, mother, (and) all-around person. She is a portrait of what you would want your child to turn out to be. And her life’s been (ended) by senseless violence… because of foolish behavior. I’m sickened by it. It happens to be an epidemic in the American society right now.”
Police do not have a suspect in custody and said the shooting was the result of an altercation between two groups during a concert. Law enforcement is looking for a Black man between the ages of 19 and 20 years old. The gunman was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with a thin build and short dreads. He was last seen wearing a white hoodie. He is considered armed and dangerous and police have urged the shooter to surrender.
"Be better. Be better. There's nothing ... we can't get her back, so, be better," Kevin Vicknair said.
The Round Rock Police Department has created an online portal for witnesses to the shooting to upload photos or video evidence from Saturday.
Family and friends of Lyndsey’s are invited to a private wake service in Mansfield on Friday evening, followed by her celebration of life on Saturday.
