HOUSTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- A suspect who opened fire on Houston commuters, injuring nine before he was shot and killed, wore a military-style uniform during the onslaught, police said.
Identified by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner as Nathan DeSai, 46, the suspect wore a military uniform decorated with a Nazi swastika during the shooting. He allegedly left a Porsche containing a submachine gun at the scene of the rampage Monday.
After firing at passing motorists with a handgun in southwest Houston during the Monday morning commute, the suspect engaged in a shootout with police before he was shot and killed. Six people were injured and hospitalized, and two were admitted at local hospitals, one in serious condition. Three others were treated for injuries at the scene.
DeSai was a resident of a condominium complex near the shooting scene, and a search of his home revealed several weapons and items of military memorabilia, including items dating to the Civil War. Police investigating his car after the incident found it contained a Thompson submachine gun and about 2,600 rounds of ammunition.
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Acting Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo said Monday that DeSai was a lawyer, and that police do not know what prompted the rampage.
"At this point we are very open-minded in terms of motive," she said.
The suspect's father, Prakash DeSai, a retired geologist, said his son visited his home the day before the shooting, worried about his law practice and its lack of clients.
DeSai was a partner in a law firm with Kenneth McDaniel; the partnership ended in February.
"I'm reading stuff online talking about how he was possibly a fired employee that was disgruntled," McDaniel said. "That's the farthest thing from the truth. Our partnership dissolved in February of this year -- it was simply a matter of economics. We couldn't afford to operate as a partnership anymore."
Harris County court records indicate DeSai had no active civil or criminal cases, and two total criminal cases since 2013.
The property manager for DeSai's residence, John Elmore, said DeSai's behavior grew erratic in the past two months, telling KTRK-TV, Houston, he seemed paranoid. DeSai confronted roofers with a gun on Aug. 4, believing they were attempting to break into his home, Elmore said. Houston police said they have no record of a call concerning the incident.
