'I saw mommy killing Santa Claus': Read the Austin Transportation Department's morbid twists on classic Christmas songs



In a bid to encourage people to drive safely, the Austin Transportation Department posted a morbid twist on the lyrics of the classic Christmas song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," with the new lyrics painting a gruesome picture of a scene where a distracted driver fatally strikes Santa.

"I saw mommy killing Santa Claus He disappeared under the truck last night She didn't see him cross the street, now his body’s a red streak She was reading on her phone the latest Tweet," the department tweeted. "Then I saw EMS putting Santa Claus Underneath a sheet so snowy white Oh, what a sad day it has been With distraction yet again And Mommy killing Santa Claus last night," the department added, before urging people to, "Drive safe for the holidays and put distractions away before you drive."

\u201cThen I saw EMS putting Santa Claus\nUnderneath a sheet so snowy white\n\nOh, what a sad day it has been\nWith distraction yet again\nAnd Mommy killing Santa Claus last night\ud83c\udfb5 \n\nDrive safe for the holidays and put distractions away before you drive.\u201d
— ATX Transportation (@ATX Transportation) 1671644362

The department posted a similarly grim twist on "Frosty the Snowman," about "Frothy the snowman," who drives after drinking and ends up dead.

"Frothy the snowman Was a jolly happy soul He went out one night with all his bros After a few drinks he went home. Frothy the snowman is a sad story, we say He said 'I'm fine to drive' As he left the dive And pulled onto the highway," the department tweeted. "Frothy's car swerved off the road And into a snow drift It could have been avoided If he would just have called a Lyft Frothy the snowman Was dead as he could be And all his bros say they miss him At the happy hour at three," the department added.

\u201c2/2 Frothy\u2019s car swerved off the road\nAnd into a snow drift\n\nIt could have been avoided\nIf he would just have called a Lyft\n\nFrothy the snowman\nWas dead as he could be\nAnd all his bros say they miss him\nAt the happy hour at three.\ud83c\udfb5\u201d
— ATX Transportation (@ATX Transportation) 1671573738

The department also posted a twist on "Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer," about Rudolf landing in jail after driving through a red light because he looked at his phone.

"Rudolph the red-light runner Looked down at his bright phone screen If he was only looking He would see his light wasn't green. All of the other reindeer Have heard of this old tale But it's too late for Rudolph Who's sitting in the county jail," the tweet reads.

\u201c\ud83c\udfb5 Rudolph the red-light runner \nLooked down at his bright phone screen \n\nIf he was only looking \nHe would see his light wasn't green. \n\nAll of the other reindeer \nHave heard of this old tale \n\nBut it's too late for Rudolph \nWho's sitting in the county jail\ud83c\udfb5\u201d
— ATX Transportation (@ATX Transportation) 1671474867

Responding to the "I saw mommy killing Santa Claus" tweet, Austin city council member Mackenzie Kelly said that she had talked to Richard Mendoza and he apologized to Austin — Mendoza is listed as the department's interim director.

"I have spoken with Richard Mendoza regarding the tweet. He apologized to the city and provided assurance that the department will establish better controls over messaging going forward," Kelly tweeted.

\u201cI have spoken with Richard Mendoza regarding the tweet. He apologized to the city and provided assurance that the department will establish better controls over messaging going forward. #atxcouncil\u201d
— Mackenzie Kelly (@Mackenzie Kelly) 1671668909

Texas lawyer found dead after allegedly firing shot at ex-girlfriend bartender just days before



The Texas lawyer who police said pulled out a gun and fired a shot at his ex-girlfriend, who was working her bartender shift over the weekend, has been found dead, Fox News reported.

What are the details?

The Austin Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers found Gavin Rush's body around 4:25 p.m. Wednesday during a welfare check.

A police spokesperson didn't say how Rush died, the cable outlet reported — but the department noted that the "death is not considered suspicious" and that law enforcement will continue investigating.

\u201cTexas attorney found dead after pulling gun on ex-girlfriend at bar https://t.co/HoYbbnFF9f\u201d
— New York Post (@New York Post) 1669943138

What's the background?

Rush, 41, entered the Anderson Mill Pub after 11:30 a.m. Saturday to confront his ex-girlfriend as she worked her shift, KEYE-TV reported, citing an arrest affidavit.

Their three-year relationship ended about a month and a half before, KTBC-TV reported, adding that when she rejected his request to get back together, police said he sent several texts threatening to harm her and her new partner.

Police added that when she stopped answering Rush's texts — though informing him she was at work — he took a trip to the pub, KTBC said.

When she refused to talk to him, Rush pulled out a gun and pointed it at her — and a red dot from a laser sight was centered on her chest, KEYE said, citing the police affidavit.

KTBC said he fired a shot that narrowly missed her. The police affidavit indicates that one of the shots hit a bar mirror directly behind where Rush’s ex-girlfriend was standing, KEYE reported.

Two customers who knew the backstory tackled Rush and wrestled the firearm away, KTBC said, adding that he continued to shoot the gun during the struggle and tried to kill himself.

"It's hard to tell your story. In her case, it did work out that she was able to find some trusted people who did end up potentially saving her life," Nikhita Ved, vice president of community services at the SAFE Alliance, told KTBC.

Austin Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly posted surveillance video of the incident:

\u201cEarlier this week there was a shooting at a local bar in my district. This attorney belongs behind bars, pending a lengthy jury of his peers. I\u2019m deeply disturbed watching this video and committed to a safe city.\u201d
— Mackenzie Kelly (@Mackenzie Kelly) 1669677025

Anything else?

Rush was facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon involving family violence, KEYE said, adding that the bond was set at $40,000, which typically means the suspect pays 10% — in this case, $4,000. Rush bonded out of jail, KTBC said. According to KEYE the bonding out happened within 48 hours.

The judge did grant the ex-girlfriend an emergency protection order, KEYE said.

Texas lawyer found dead after allegedly firing shot just days before at ex-girlfriend bartender



The Texas lawyer who police said pulled out a gun and fired a shot at his ex-girlfriend who was working her bartender shift over the weekend has been found dead, Fox News reported.

What are the details?

The Austin Police Department told Fox News Digital that officers found Gavin Rush's body around 4:25 p.m. Wednesday after receiving a welfare check.

A police spokesperson didn't say how Rush died, the cable outlet reported — but the department noted that the "death is not considered suspicious," and that law enforcement will continue investigating.

\u201cTexas attorney found dead after pulling gun on ex-girlfriend at bar https://t.co/HoYbbnFF9f\u201d
— New York Post (@New York Post) 1669943138

What's the background?

Rush, 41, entered the Anderson Mill Pub after 11:30 a.m. Saturday to confront his ex-girlfriend as she worked her shift, KEYE-TV reported, citing an arrest affidavit.

Their three-year relationship ended about a month and a half before, KTBC-TV reported, adding that when she rejected his request to get back together, police said he sent several texts threatening to harm her and her new partner.

Police added that when she stopped answering Rush's texts — though informing him she was at work — he took a trip to the pub, KTBC said.

When she refused to talk to him, Rush pulled out a gun and pointed it at her — and a red dot from a laser sight was centered on her chest, KEYE said, citing the police affidavit.

KTBC said he fired a shot that narrowly missed her. The police affidavit indicates that one of the shots hit a bar mirror directly behind where Rush’s ex-girlfriend was standing, KEYE reported.

Two customers who knew the backstory tackled Rush and wrestled the firearm away, KTBC said, adding that he continued to shoot the gun during the struggle and tried to kill himself.

"It's hard to tell your story. In her case, it did work out that she was able to find some trusted people who did end up potentially saving her life," Nikhita Ved, vice president of community services at the SAFE Alliance, told KTBC.

Austin Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly posted surveillance video of the incident:

\u201cEarlier this week there was a shooting at a local bar in my district. This attorney belongs behind bars, pending a lengthy jury of his peers. I\u2019m deeply disturbed watching this video and committed to a safe city.\u201d
— Mackenzie Kelly (@Mackenzie Kelly) 1669677025

Anything else?

Rush was facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon involving family violence, KEYE said, adding that the bond was set at $40,000, which typically means the suspect pays 10% — in this case, $4,000. Rush bonded out of jail, KTBC said. According to KEYE the bonding out happened within 48 hours.

The judge did grant the ex-girlfriend an emergency protection order, KEYE said.

​Lawyer points gun at ex-girlfriend bartender, fires shot that barely misses, cops say — then two heroic customers step up in a big way to end lethal threat



Police say an attorney walked into an Austin, Texas, pub over the weekend, pointed a gun at his bartending ex-girlfriend, and fired a shot that barely missed her.

With that, a pair of customers stepped up heroically, tackling the gunman and ending the lethal threat.

What are the details?

Gavin Edward Rush, 41, entered the Anderson Mill Pub after 11:30 a.m. Saturday to confront his ex-girlfriend as she worked her shift, KEYE-TV reported, citing an arrest affidavit.

Their three-year relationship ended about a month and a half before, KTBC-TV reported, adding that when she rejected his desire to get back together, police said he sent several texts threatening to harm her and her new partner.

Police added that when she stopped answering Rush's texts — though informing him she was at work — he took a trip to the pub, KTBC said.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @mkelly007

When she refused to talk to him, Rush pulled out a gun and pointed it at her — and a red dot from a laser sight was centered on her chest, KEYE said, citing the police affidavit.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @mkelly007

KTBC said he fired a shot that narrowly missed her. The police affidavit indicates that one of the shots hit a bar mirror directly behind where Rush’s ex-girlfriend was standing, KEYE reported.

Two customers who knew the backstory tackled Rush and wrestled the firearm away, KTBC said, adding that he continued to shoot the gun during the struggle and tried to kill himself.

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @mkelly007

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @mkelly007

"It's hard to tell your story. In her case, it did work out that she was able to find some trusted people who did end up potentially saving her life," Nikhita Ved, vice president of community services at the SAFE Alliance, told KTBC.

Austin Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly posted surveillance video of the incident:

\u201cEarlier this week there was a shooting at a local bar in my district. This attorney belongs behind bars, pending a lengthy jury of his peers. I\u2019m deeply disturbed watching this video and committed to a safe city.\u201d
— Mackenzie Kelly (@Mackenzie Kelly) 1669677025

What happened next?

Rush is facing a felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon involving family violence, KEYE said, adding that the bond was set at $40,000, which typically means the suspect pays 10% — in this case, $4,000.

Indeed, Rush has already bonded out of jail, KTBC said, adding that Thomas Villareal — who heads up the Austin Police Association — stated that "the courts have failed this victim."

The judge did grant the ex-girlfriend an emergency protection order, KEYE said.

KTBC said Rush's law firm issued the following statement: "Gavin Rush no longer works at the firm. We do not tolerate hatred or violence of any kind. Our thoughts are with the victims who experienced a significant trauma that day."