After the deadly shooting of three people in Austin, Texas, a 41-year-old man is on the run.

On Sunday, police officers searching the area warned residents that the suspect might take a hostage.

Stephen Broderick, the perpetrator, was deemed armed and dangerous, according to Interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon.

He advised people in the area to take cover and call their neighbors to check on them.

“We are worried that he may take a hostage and hide somewhere waiting for us to leave,” Mr. Chacon said at a press conference on Sunday afternoon.

Broderick, who is 5ft 7in tall, was dressed in a grey hoodie, sunglasses, and a baseball cap, according to him.

Broderick is accused of murdering two Hispanic women and a black man, according to Mr. Chacon.

He said Broderick knew the victims, but he didn't say how or offer a reason for the shootings. Mr. Chacon also mentioned that a child was involved, but that the child had been found and was in good health.

Brenda Torres was driving by when she noticed a young boy flagging down a car and a black man lying face down on the pavement.

Ms. Torres said, "I saw the little boy point down the street." “Someone was lying on the ground.” I was under the impression that someone had collapsed. I see cop car after cop car speeding toward where I just was as my light turns green and I start driving.”

A fatal shooting occurred in Austin.

A large number of emergency services, including hundreds of police vehicles, were visible in images from the scene. There were also several ambulances, two Swat vehicles, and two police helicopters on the scene.

A strip mall with many retail stores and large apartment complexes is located near wooded rolling hills in the city.

Josh Katzowitz, who had been shopping at a nearby Trader Joe's, said that as he was leaving, police and ambulances came "pouring in" to the scene.

He said, "The cops had their guns drawn." “Some were armed with shotguns, while others were armed with rifles, and they were wearing bulletproof vests. Ambulances, sirens, and police vehicles appeared out of nowhere. “Police were pouring in from all directions.”

According to police, a section of a nearby highway would be closed in both directions.