AUSTIN, Texas — A gunman fired more than 100 rounds at downtown buildings in Austin and tried to set the Mexican Consulate ablaze early Friday before he died during a confrontation with police, authorities said.
Some of the targeted buildings are near the popular Sixth Street entertainment district, where bars close at 2 a.m., about the same time the shootings began. Thousands of people are typically on the street at that time, Police Chief Art Acevedo said.
''Many, many rounds were fired in downtown Austin,'' Acevedo said. ''With all the people on the streets, we're very fortunate. I give thanks that no one but the suspect is injured or deceased.''
Investigators identified the shooter as Larry McQuilliams, 49, of Austin. Police said he had a criminal record but did not release details, and they were trying to determine a motive.
Police were checking reports that McQuilliams could have been upset about US immigration policy.
"When you look at the national debate right now about immigration, that . . . comes to mind. Sometimes our political discourse becomes very heated and sometimes very angry," Acevedo told reporters.
President Obama issued an executive order this month setting in motion sweeping US immigration changes that will ease the threat of deportation for nearly 5 million illegal immigrants.
Besides the Mexican consulate, other targeted buildings included the Austin police headquarters and the US courthouse.
Mexico's Foreign Relations Department issued a statement expressing ''profound concern and condemnation'' of the attack.
Acevedo said a sergeant, while holding the reins of two police horses after his patrol, shot the gunman just outside the main entrance to police headquarters. But Acevedo said it is not clear whether the shot was fatal or McQuilliams took his own life.
His targets were located throughout downtown Austin and officers received multiple reports of gunfire, though the entire episode lasted about 10 minutes from the first call, Acevedo said.
Officers approached McQuilliams after he had been shot, but noticed cylinders in his vehicle, which was nearby.
They also discovered he was wearing a vest they thought may have been rigged to explode. Officers retreated and a bomb squad was called, but it was later determined that the items were not explosive.
"Any time you see a guy engaging in this kind of behavior: this violent, anti-everything behavior — government behavior if you will — you have to think about explosives and IEDs," Acevedo said.
As a precaution, a police tactical team later went to the Austin apartment complex where they believed the gunman lived. Some homes close to the apartment were evacuated.
Police searched McQuilliams's apartment and found no explosives. But officers were seen removing about a dozen small tanks of propane, the type used in camping, which investigators said was similar to the fluid used in the attempt to set fire to the Mexican consulate.
The shooter's white van was still on the street outside police headquarters several hours after the rampage. Its doors, the trunk, and hood were open as investigators looked it over.
The fire at the consulate was extinguished before any significant damage was done. The guard shack at the US courthouse was hit by bullets, as was police headquarters, which was extensively damaged.
Adam Peyton, who lives in the area, awoke Friday to see SWAT vehicles and officers on motorcycles in the southwest Austin neighborhood near the city's well-known Zilker Park.
He said the area was laid back and close-knit, where residents know each other and are often out walking their dogs.
The Mexican consul general in the city, Rosalba Ojeda, was in contact with local and federal authorities and joined investigators in checking the offices.
During the inspection, damage to the exterior and entrance to the consulate was discovered, apparently caused by gun shots, in addition to the fire damage. A more thorough evaluation to the facility will be conducted, officials said.
Mexican officials there was no immediate indication that specific members of the consulate staff were being targeted.
No decision has been made on when the consulate might reopen, officials said. Officials were still assessing the damage to the courthouse, but it is expected to reopen Monday.