BULLETIN: (6th Update 9:51 a.m. ET U.S.A.) A gunman who reportedly targeted the headquarters of the Austin Police Department and other government buildings in an overnight attack in Texas has been shot dead.
Austin Assistant Chief Raul Munguia has told reporters that the suspect appears to have used a vehicle that contained an improvised explosive device. Because the suspect was wearing a vest of some sort, there is concern that it could be armed, too.
A bomb squad was dispatched.
Early reports suggest the other buildings included the federal courthouse in downtown Austin and Mexico’s consulate.
Austin is the capital of Texas. Police and first responders were targeted in an attack last week near Tallahassee, Florida’s capital.
WATCH: Austin police briefing on downtown shootings http://t.co/Kq6TcSHoDl pic.twitter.com/8QTy4aRc7c
— Austin Statesman (@statesman) November 28, 2014
Shooter targeted multiple buildings in Austin, Texas, this morning, including police HQ, authorities say. http://t.co/EXUSd36I0l — CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) November 28, 2014
On scene at Mexican Consulate. FBI agents APD and Austin Fire here. Gunshot amage was done to the front door. pic.twitter.com/cupXB1mkSW
— Chris Sadeghi (@chrissadeghi) November 28, 2014
Picture of four bullet holes that shattered the glass of the guard shack on the back side of the federal courthouse pic.twitter.com/bFVnUgXRCe — Erin Cargile (@erincargile) November 28, 2014
A media briefing will be at 9 a.m. re: this mornings shooting @ the Waller Creek Bldg. located at 10th and the west frontage of IH-35.
— Austin Police Dept (@Austin_Police) November 28, 2014
From NBC News, quoting a person who observed part of the incident (italics added):
“[The shooter] was in full gear so he didn’t seem like a civilian, but there was no writing on any of the equipment,” the restaurant server said. “It seemed like he was wearing a bullet-proof vest and he was wearing a helmet with a clear visor over his face.”
More . . .