Manhunt for suspect in fatal Texas shooting

A manhunt was underway for a former sheriff’s deputy wanted in the fatal shooting of three people in Austin, Texas, as an official said it wasn’t known if the suspect was still in the city.

Interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said those who lived near where the shooting happened on Sunday morning no longer had to shelter in place, but they should “remain vigilant”.

He said officials were transitioning the search for Stephen Broderick, 41, from the area to a “fugitive search”.

“The victims were all known to this suspect.,” Chacon said. “At this point, we do not think this individual is out there targeting random people to shoot. That does not mean he is not dangerous.”

Earlier in the day, nearby residents had been asked to shelter in place and to call their neighbours to check on them.

Chacon had said earlier that officials were concerned that Broderick “might possibly take a hostage and be sheltered somewhere waiting for us to leave”.

He said Broderick was a former deputy with the Travis County sheriff’s office, which is based in Austin, adding that Broderick was suspected in the killing of two Hispanic women and one black man.

He said Broderick knew the victims but didn’t elaborate on how or provide a motive for the shootings.

Chacon added that a child was involved, but the child had been located and was safe.

Brenda Torres said she was driving by when she saw a little boy flag down a car and a black man lying facedown on the ground.

“I saw the little boy point down the street,” Torres said. “There was someone lying on the ground. I thought someone had fallen down. As I’m driving on, I see cop car after cop car after cop car rushing toward where I just was.”

Following the shooting, there was a large presence of emergency responders at the scene, including dozens of police cars, several ambulances, two SWAT trucks and two police helicopters. Later Sunday, law enforcement began leaving the area.

Police said a portion of a nearby highway would be shut down in both directions.

— Reuters High alert: Law enforcement personnel exiting a helicopter next to the Arboretum Oaks apartment complex, the scene of the deadly shooting in Austin.