Houston Shooting: Police ID Man who Shot 9 People as Local Attorney

HOUSTON, TX — Authorities have identified the man who went on a shooting spree that injured nine people early Monday morning before he was fatally shot by police as Nathan Desai, 46, a local attorney who recently formed his own law practice.

Some witnesses said the mass shooting lasted more than half an hour.

Shortly after police arrived, Desai exchanged gunfire with officers and was killed by police, police said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a press release expressing heartfelt thanks to the Houston Police Department and offering prayer and support for the families affected.

“As victims of the Houston shooting fight for their lives this morning, Cecilia and I ask that all Texans join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and we wish them all a full and speedy recovery. We would also like to thank the Houston Police Department and all first responders for their decisive actions in putting a quick end to this horrific act.”

Desai’s vehicle was found parked at the Oaks at West University Condominiums, it and apparently contained several weapons that led to the bomb squad being sent to the scene to check the vehicle and his apartment for explosives.

Police said Desai used a .45-caliber pistol in the shooting, and investigators found a long gun and ammunition in his car.

Neighbor Moleda Wakin, whose husband was among those injured in the shooting spree, recalled an incident several months ago when she says Desai became involved in a dispute with contractors working on the roof of their complex and brandished a weapon.

Wakin told KPRC heard the gunshots and immediately called her husband, who’d just left their apartment. Wakin said she heard the fear in his voice when she called him and ran outside to see if he was badly hurt.

“There were two bullet holes through the windshield — driver’s side — another bullet hole in the driver’s side seat, glass everywhere, and his eyes were full of glass,” she said. “There was blood splatter...but he wasn’t hit...He was alive.”

Officers were called to the intersection of Weslayan and Bissonnet streets at about 6:30 a.m. after witnesses reported a man with a gun was shooting at motorists from a shopping center parking lot.

Desai was part of the McDaniel and Desai Law Firm for 10 years and only recently split from his long-time law partner to start his own practice.

Interim Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo, who did not directly identify the shooter at the time, said the shooter was an attorney who was apparently having issues in his practice.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, who is in Cuba, told the Houston Chronicle in a phone call that he'd been advised of the situation from city officials and interim Montalvo.

There were initial fears of terrorist ties or that there might be more than one shooter involved, but those concerns were quickly put to rest.

Meanwhile, Turner said police were interviewing friends and business associates and searching his home in the hopes of determining why this happened and what was motivating Desai.

"We wanted to make sure in view of what's happening across country and what's been happening recently, that this was not some act of terrorism, but one certainly can see when one has an incident of this kind it certainly creates terror on so many levels," he said.

Image by Alan Cleaver via Flickr