Three killed, suspect ID'd as former detective in Austin shooting

April 18 (UPI) -- Authorities said Sunday they were searching for a former law enforcement officer suspected of killing three people during a domestic-related shooting in Texas.

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services reported the three victims died at the scene at Arboretum Oaks Apartments near Great Hills Plaza office building and Arboretum shopping center in north Austin.

Police identified the suspect as Stephen Nicholas Broderick, 41, a former detective with the Travis County Sheriff's Office. He's described as a Black man standing 5 feet and 7 inches tall and last seen seen wearing a gray hoodie, sunglasses and a baseball cap.

Interim Austin Police Chief Joe Chacon said during a news conference Sunday that police no longer consider the incident an active shooting as it was believed he knew the victims and targeted them in the shooting but added that "danger remains high" as there were concerns he may take hostages in the area.

"Obviously this is a tragedy. We have people who have lost their lives here," said Chacon. "We'll do our best ... to get this person in custody ... and hopefully with no more loss of life."

Chacon added that two women and a man were killed. A child was involved in the incident but was located safe and is in police custody.

EMS said there were no reports of other victims.

Kristen Dark, a spokeswoman for the Travis County Sheriff's office, told The Washington Post that Broderick was placed on administrative leave and later resigned after being arrested in June and charged with sexually assaulting a child.

Chacon said officers responded to a 911 call from an address near Rain Creek Parkway at 11:42 a.m. local time and a reverse 911 call was sent to residents in the area to notify them of the shooting.

A shelter-in-place order had been issued but was rescinded hours later with the Austin Police Department urging residents in a tweet to "be aware of your surroundings."