HOUSTON, Sept. 26 (UPI) — Officials investigating a pre-dawn shooting Monday at a Houston area shopping center have identified the person they believe is responsible for the attack.
Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Houston Chronicle on Monday afternoon the gunman was Nathan DeSai, an attorney in the metro area.
Investigators believe DeSai opened fire at a strip mall in Houston’s West University district at about 6:30 a.m. local time Monday. Police responded after receiving reports that a man with a revolver was shooting at passing motorists.
Six people were shot, police said. Three were treated at the scene and three were hospitalized — one in critical condition and one serious. Three others were injured in the incident but were not shot.
After the gunfire, streets were blocked off and pursuit of the suspect ultimately centered on an apartment complex near the mall.
Authorities responded quickly and shot DeSai at the scene. He died from his injuries. Police said they later found more ammunition and a long gun in his vehicle.
Officials said DeSai was a local lawyer and that there are “questions” about his law firm. The FBI is assisting in the investigation.
Assistant Houston Fire Department Chief Richard Mann said gunfire continued for about 20 minutes.
