Austin shooter killed by police targeted government buildings, Mexican consulate

Early this morning, a lone gunman was shot and killed in downtown Austin, Texas, after firing more than 100 shots at government buildings and attempting to set the Mexican Consulate on fire. While the motives are unclear, the white male shooter, likely in his 50s, had a criminal record and a possible anti-government agenda, according to USA Today. The man’s name has not yet been released.

The gunman began firing shots at the U.S courthouse and Austin Police Headquarters near Sixth Street, a popular area known for its bar scene, around 2 a.m. Friday. While typically well-populated as bars close, the street was relatively quiet from the Thanksgiving holiday and none of the gunman’s more than 100 shots fired hit any bystanders.

A policeman putting away patrol horses outside the Austin Police Headquarters shot the suspect — while still holding the reins of the two horses — 10 minutes after the shooting spree began, although it’s still unclear if it was the policeman’s shot or a self-inflicted shot that killed the suspect.

While little damage was done to the Mexican Consulate or the federal courthouse, Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo told the Associated Press that the police headquarters has been “extensively damaged.”