A man with an AK-47 assault rifle opened fire in Texas yesterday and killed his ex-wife and a bystander in a rampage prompted by a child support dispute.
Four people were wounded, including the gunman's son and three police officers; the gunman was later killed.
Mr David Hernandez Arroyo Sr. was shot outside the county courthouse before fleeing the scene. He fired at officers through the rear window of his pickup truck in a chase that lasted several miles.
Authorities believe he may have been shot through the window during the pursuit. He was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital.
Police said the firefight began after Mr Arroyo, wearing a flak jacket and bulletproof vest, confronted his ex-wife and adult son on the courthouse steps about proceedings involving unpaid child support.
Law enforcement officers responded from inside the courthouse and confronted Arroyo, who is believed to have shot 50 rounds.
The victims were identified as ex-wife Maribel Estrada (41) and Mark Wilson (52), a bystander with a concealed weapons permit who had tried to help. Mr Estrada and Ms Arroyo divorced a year ago after 22 years of marriage.
AP