Former police detective named as suspect in Austin shooting which left three dead

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Three people were shot dead on Sunday in Austin, Texas as the manhunt continues for the gunman who fled the scene.

Police identified Stephen Nicholas Broderick, 41, as the suspect, and said that he is armed and dangerous. It is unknown if he fled on foot or in a vehicle.

Local residents were advised to shelter in place during the incident. Police later described it as a domestic situation, but said the scene as “very active” on Twitter.

First responders found three adults, two Hispanic women and a Black man, with gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect knew the victims.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services said there were no reports of further victims.

Mr Broderick is a former Travis County Sheriff’s Office detective and was charged with the sexual assault of a child in June 2020, according to KXAN.

He was placed on administrative leave and taken into custody at Travis County jail on a $100,000 bond.

Following the shooting, there was a huge police presence on the scene near the junction Great Hills Trail and Rain Creek Parkway in the Arboretum area of the city. A heavily-armed SWAT team in military fatigues was part of the response.

The incident occurred shortly before noon at an apartment complex, a few blocks from a strip mall and Trader Joe’s grocery store.

Interim chief of police Joseph Chacon says that a child was involved, but is safe and now in custody.

A number of roads were closed off in the area and people asked to report any suspicious activity as the hunt for the suspect continues.