Police in Houston responded early Monday morning to reports of a man shooting randomly near a corner shopping center, KPRC 2 reports.
The gunman, now identified as 46-year-old attorney Nathan DeSai of Houston, reportedly injured nine people in the shooting. He was quickly located by police who reported to the scene, and he immediately began firing at officers.
Interim Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo said that the gunman was found dead shortly after. No officers were injured in the shooting.
Police said that the suspect was armed with two weapons, a .45 semi-automatic handgun and a .45 semi-automatic Thompson Carbine, both legally purchased. A search of DeSai’s car, found near the scene, yielded at least one additional weapon and around 2,500 rounds of live ammunition.
Investigators also searched DeSai’s home, where they found what appeared to be Nazi paraphernalia and several other weapons inside. DeSai, an Indian American, was reportedly wearing an antique German uniform with swastikas on it.
Montalvo said that the motive for the shooting is not yet known. When asked if the shooting was related to terrorism, she said that she is not ready to say that yet.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner is currently leading a trade mission to Cuba but said that he is carefully monitoring the situation. He does not plan to cut his trip short.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement shortly after the shooting:
As victims of the Houston shooting fight for their lives this morning, Cecilia and I ask that all Texans join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to the victims' families and we wish them all a full and speedy recovery. We would also like to thank the Houston Police Department and all first responders for their decisive actions in putting a quick end to this horrific act.
Read more at KPCR 2.