A manhunt was underway Sunday for a former sheriff’s deputy wanted in the fatal shooting of three people in Austin, Texas. An official said it is not known if the suspect is still in the city.
Interim police chief Joseph Chacon said those left late Sunday morning near the scene of the shooting no longer needed to hide in their place but should “remain vigilant”. He said officials were turning the search for Stephen Broderick, 41, from the area into a ‘fleeing search’.
“The suspects were all known to the victims,” Chacon said. “At this point, we do not think this individual is aiming to shoot at random people. That does not mean he is not dangerous. ”
Earlier in the day, residents were asked to take refuge in their place and call their neighbors to examine them. Chacon said officials were concerned that Broderick “might take a hostage and be sheltered somewhere himself and wait until we leave.”
Chacon said Broderick is 5 feet tall and black. He is wearing a gray hoodie, sunglasses and a baseball cap. Chacon said police do not know if he was in a vehicle or on foot. He said Broderick was a former deputy to the sheriff in Travis, who is based in Austin.
Travis District Attorney Jose Garza said Broderick was arrested in June for sexually assaulting a child and was released on $ 50,000 bail. He said the district attorney’s office filed a motion Sunday to repeal the bond and actively support law enforcement.
A sheriff’s spokeswoman, Kristen Dark, said Broderick, a property crime detective, resigned after the arrest. It was also reported that Broderick’s wife had applied for a protection order and divorce shortly after his arrest.
Chacon said Broderick is suspected of the murder of two Spanish women and one black man. He said Broderick knew the victims but did not elaborate on how it was a motive for the shooting. Chacon also said a child was involved but was tracked down and safe.
Brenda Torres said she was driving past when she saw a little boy flagging in a car and a black man lying with his face on the ground.
“I saw the little boy in the street,” Torres said. “Someone was lying on the ground. I thought someone just fell or something. As my light turns green and I drive, I see policeman after policeman after policeman chasing where I was just. ”
Chacon said the three people were not shot in a building but gave no further details. After the shooting, there was a large presence of emergencies at the scene, including dozens of police cars, several ambulances, two Swat trucks and two police helicopters. Later, law enforcers began to leave the area.
The area contains a strip shop with several shops and large apartment complexes near wooded hills.
Josh Katzowitz, who was shopping at a nearby Trader Joe’s, said police and ambulances flooded into the area as he left. He did not hear any gunfire.
“The police took out their guns,” he said. ‘Some had pistols, others had guns and they were tied to bulletproof vests. Suddenly there were ambulances, sirens and police cars. Police come from everywhere. ”