A shooting rampage in Austin, Texas, on Friday by a lone gunman who ended up dead is being attributed by police to the volatile political situation created by President Barack Obama’s announcement that he’s essentially granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens now in the United States.
“Police said it looked like an ‘anti-government’ attack and pointed to the ‘heated’ immigration debate,’ the BBC said in a report that was released only shortly after the situation was concluded.
NBC said while police were “still trying to determine a motive,” Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo “said the shooting could be ‘anti-government’ or have a political agenda based on his apparent targets: government buildings and police.”
And USA Today’s banner headline trumpeted “Slain Austin shooter likely had anti-government motive.”
“The police chief said the suspects’ targets indicated that he might have had anti-government motives linked to immigration,” the story said.
“I would venture that political rhetoric might have fed into some of this, but that is speculation on my part,” Acevedo said.
As reported by KTBC Television there, the suspect, who was killed, was identified as Larry McQuilliams, 49, of Austin. He apparently had a criminal record.
He allegedly fired more than 100 rounds at several buildings before he was fatally wounded. Investigators were trying to determine whether it was a self-inflicted wound or it came from police.
Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell told the station, “A lone suspect began shooting at public buildings in our downtown. No individuals were injured, except for the suspect who was fatally wounded.”
The mayor said he was communicating with the Mexican consul, and he commended Austin police for their response.
“Due to their preparedness and quick response, APD officers ensured that this incident did not escalate,” he said.
The shots had been reported about 2:30 a.m., and an Austin officer “on the scene loading up horses” fired on the alleged gunman.
The report said the bomb squad was called because the suspect “was wearing some kind of vest,” and they saw “suspicious cylinders” in the suspect’s vehicle.
They said the gunman allegedly fired on three buildings, the police headquarters, the federal courthouse and the Mexican Consulate.
NBC reported Acevedo confirmed, “Many, many rounds were fired in downtown Austin.”
Authorities alleged the suspect also tried to set the Mexican facility on fire.
