ROUND ROCK, Texas — What started off as a normal day of Juneteenth celebrations in Round Rock turned tragic in the evening.
“I was kind of like in disbelief that it’s actually happening,” said LaTisha Agent, who attended the Juneteenth Festival Round Rock. "I couldn't get out of that place fast enough."
Agent and Paige Overland attended the event from early Saturday morning until the evening.
“People were like line dancing and eating, having conversations,” Overland said. “It was just life all around us.”
The shooting started when two groups began fighting with each other near the vendor area. During the fight, at least one person pulled out a gun and began shooting.
Those directly involved in the incident immediately fled, police said.
Agent and Overland were just feet away when the shooting started. They both dropped immediately to the ground the second they heard gunshots.
RELATED: Two people killed, multiple injured in shooting during Juneteenth celebration in Round Rock
“I just hit the ground immediately,” Overland said. “Because you don’t know what’s going on at that moment. You don’t know if somebody is walking around and actually doing this. You don’t know if it’s coming towards you, you don’t know.”
In the hours since the shooting, they’ve had to process what they just lived through.
“It’s like survivor remorse or something where it’s like, I feel grateful, but then I feel so overwhelmingly sad because people didn’t have to lose their lives,” Overland said.
Agent said this experience has changed her perspective on some things.
“For me, it kind of changed me wanting to go out into crowds like that because I have grandkids, I have kids, and I just want to be there for them,” Agent said.
Overland is also a trauma therapist and wants to use this experience to remind people that it’s okay to get help to process difficult situations like this.
“It’s okay to go get help,” Overland said. “It’s okay to talk to somebody to because trauma can do a number of things on you mentally and physically.”
Overland also wants to remind people to always have an emergency safety plan and take notice of all exits when entering a large gathering.
“Live your life, enjoy your life, don’t let anyone take that away from you with fear, but be mindful” Overland said. “Be mindful. Always have some kind of plan played out in your mind.”
Agent said she wants to remind people to give some extra attention to your loved ones.
“Love your people, be blessed and kiss your family, your kids,” Agent said.
As of Sunday evening, the FBI was still assisting Round Rock Police in the search for those responsible for the deadly shooting.
Mental health resources
For those in need of mental health assistance following this incident, the Round Rock Fire Department's Crisis Response Unit can be reached during the special extended office hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday, June 21, by calling 512-218-5501.
Outside of those hours, the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 1-800-985-5990.
Other general mental health support services include the Crisis Text Hotline (text HOME to 741741), the National Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline (dial 988) and the Bluebonnet Trails Crisis Hotline (call 1-800-841-1255).