AustinTexas_Skyline_Nov2009
The skyline of downtown Austin, Texas on Nov. 5, 2009. Reuters/Lucy Nicholson

A suspect was shot dead by police in Austin, Texas, early on Friday after several downtown buildings, including the city’s police headquarters and the Mexican consulate, were fired at by the shooter, reports said. The police also evacuated the area while a bomb robot examined a device left near police headquarters, NBC News reported.

The city's police had said that three ambulances had reached the scene of the shooting but, at about 5 a.m. local time, they were still waiting for clearance from police officials to reach the wounded suspect. Officials suspected that the object left behind outside the police department could be a “booby-trap,” NBC News reported, citing Austin Travis County EMS spokesman Mike Benavides. There could be more than one improvised explosive device (IED) at the site, KEYE TV, a local CBS News affiliate, reported, citing police.

The Austin Police Department had asked people to stay away from the area as the shootings continued, but added that no one was injured. The area was being secured by police officials after the incident was declared as concluded by the police at 6 a.m.

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