'Armed and dangerous': Police search for Texas man who shot three people

Austin police, SWAT and medical personnel respond to an active shooter situation located Great Hills Trail in Northwest Austin, Texas. Photo / AP

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 live near where the shooting happened late Sunday morning no longer had to shelter in place, but he said they should "remain vigilant."

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

Stephen Broderick is wanted in the fatal shooting of three people in Austin, Texas. Photo / AP

"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 himself sheltered somewhere waiting for us to leave."

Chacon said Broderick is 1.7m tall and Black. He was wearing a gray hoodie, sunglasses and a baseball cap. Chacon said police do not know if he's in a vehicle or on foot.

Chacon said Broderick is 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 also said a child was involved but that the child has been located and is safe.

The Daily Mail reported Broderick was arrested on June 6 by the US Marshals Service and charged with sexual assault of a child. He was placed on administrative leave without pay and later resigned.

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 just fallen down or something. As my light turns green and I'm driving, I see cop car after cop car after cop car rushing toward where I just was."

The Austin-Travis County EMS said it has received no reports of victims other than the three adults who were shot dead.

Austin police, SWAT and medical personnel respond to an active shooter situation located Great Hills Trail in Northwest Austin, Texas. Photo / AP

EMS spokeswoman Capt Christa Stedman said the first 911 call came in at 11.44am.

Chacon said the three were not shot in a building but did not give any further details.

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Images from the scene showed a large presence of emergency responders, including dozens of police cars. There were also several ambulances, two SWAT trucks and two police helicopters at the scene.

The area includes a strip mall containing several retail stores and large apartment complexes situated near wooded rolling hills.

Josh Katzowitz, who had been shopping at the nearby Trader Joe's, said police and ambulances came "pouring in" to the area as he was leaving. He didn't hear any shooting.

Austin police, SWAT and medical personnel respond to an active shooter situation located Great Hills Trail in Northwest Austin, Texas. Photo / AP

"The cops had their guns out," he said. "Some had pistols, some had rifles and they were strapping on bulletproof vests. There were all of a sudden ambulances, sirens and police cars There were cops coming from everywhere."

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