A 20-year-old man has been accused of stabbing two people at an Austin coffee shop after being challenged over bringing alcoholic drinks inside, according to an arrest affidavit.
Shankar Temple Grace faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony, following the incident at Buzz Mill Coffee on Town Creek Drive on 28 October.
Police were called to the venue shortly before 9pm after reports of a fight involving three people and a knife. Officers found two injured men, one of whom was a Buzz Mill employee and the other a DJ working at the venue. ([fox7austin.com](https://www.fox7austin.com/news/shankar-grace-arrest-affidavit-costumed-stabber))
Austin coffee shop stabbing followed dispute over alcohol
Witnesses told investigators that Grace entered the bar area from the patio carrying a case of Twisted Tea. One of the victims allegedly told him that outside alcohol was not permitted and asked a colleague to call police after Grace produced a knife.
The man then moved towards the patio exit. When the victim told him to wait for officers, an altercation broke out, according to the affidavit. A second man intervened as the suspect tried to leave.
One witness said Grace made a downward movement with the knife rather than a punch. Investigators said the weapon recovered later was a folding knife with a blade of about 15cm.
The victims suffered serious wounds. One was stabbed in the neck and ribcage and required emergency surgery, while the other suffered injuries to the abdomen and groin area. Both were taken to hospital, and the men were later reported to be in stable condition. ([aol.com](https://www.aol.com/articles/2-stabbed-austin-coffee-shop-170558000.html))
Surveillance footage reportedly showed the suspect wearing a dirty, torn-looking shirt marked with the number “666”, along with blood or make-up on his face. Witnesses described him as wearing what appeared to be a Halloween or zombie costume.
Suspect arrested after crash with autonomous vehicle
After the stabbing, police received a report of a white pick-up truck travelling at high speed before crashing into a self-driving vehicle about three miles from Buzz Mill Coffee.
The truck, a white 2019 Nissan Frontier with a shell over its load bed, matched the description given by witnesses. Officers later found its driver near the Millennium Youth Center and said he was wearing the same clothes seen on the surveillance footage.
Grace was arrested and taken to hospital before being booked into Travis County Jail. During the journey, he allegedly told officers that the two victims had started the fight and that he had been defending himself.
He also allegedly said: “It was just a fight, and I just happen to have a knife.” The claims have not been tested in court.
Court records show that bonds were set at $50,000 on each charge. Conditions included no contact with the complainants, staying at least 200 yards from Buzz Mill Coffee and electronic monitoring. ([aol.com](https://www.aol.com/articles/2-stabbed-austin-coffee-shop-170558000.html))
Victims’ recovery supported by fundraising campaigns
Fundraising campaigns set up for the injured men said Brian Mason had been working security when he intervened. He required a blood transfusion and emergency surgery for a neck wound and was reported to be recovering in a trauma intensive care unit.
A separate campaign said Patric Tester was injured while trying to pull the attacker away from his friend and colleague. His injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Grace remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
