SXSW has given plenty of up-and-coming bands their big break, but one musician is making headlines for something other than his music entirely. Austin-based Löwin guitarist Michael Sanders was shot in an armed robbery this weekend at the music festival in his Texas hometown.
The incident took place on Friday night (March 10) as Sanders was walking home alone from A Giant Dog's performance at Hotel Vegas. According to the Austin Chronicle, he was approached by three masked men (carrying two handguns and an AR-15 rifle), who proceeded to push Sanders against a car and steal his money and cell phone. When Sanders started to walk in the same direction of the robbers to head home, one of the men shot his handgun at Sanders, hitting him in the shoulder.
"It wasn't as scary as it was matter of fact and surreal," Sanders told the Chronicle. "My first thought to myself was 'Oh my god, he shot me.' My second thought was realizing that it didn't hurt as bad as I would have expected."
He was treated at Brackenridge Hospital, where it was determined that the bullet had fractured his humerus.
"As far as getting shot goes, it was a very clean shooting," Sanders added. "I'm fortunate... because they were trying to kill me."
The Austin Police Department has yet to comment on the incident, though Sanders said he believed his attackers were out preying on people returning from SXSW shows.
Löwin have three shows booked for the week-long festival, but Sanders likely won't be able to play due to his injured arm.
The band have since shared a message on Facebook, urging SXSW attendees to "be careful, alert and walk in groups at the end of the night."
The incident took place on Friday night (March 10) as Sanders was walking home alone from A Giant Dog's performance at Hotel Vegas. According to the Austin Chronicle, he was approached by three masked men (carrying two handguns and an AR-15 rifle), who proceeded to push Sanders against a car and steal his money and cell phone. When Sanders started to walk in the same direction of the robbers to head home, one of the men shot his handgun at Sanders, hitting him in the shoulder.
"It wasn't as scary as it was matter of fact and surreal," Sanders told the Chronicle. "My first thought to myself was 'Oh my god, he shot me.' My second thought was realizing that it didn't hurt as bad as I would have expected."
He was treated at Brackenridge Hospital, where it was determined that the bullet had fractured his humerus.
"As far as getting shot goes, it was a very clean shooting," Sanders added. "I'm fortunate... because they were trying to kill me."
The Austin Police Department has yet to comment on the incident, though Sanders said he believed his attackers were out preying on people returning from SXSW shows.
Löwin have three shows booked for the week-long festival, but Sanders likely won't be able to play due to his injured arm.
The band have since shared a message on Facebook, urging SXSW attendees to "be careful, alert and walk in groups at the end of the night."