Austin shooting: Former detective arrested, charged in triple murder after manhunt
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Authorities have arrested the former law enforcement officer wanted in the shooting that left three people dead and launched a massive manhunt Sunday.
Stephen Nicholas Broderick, 41, was arrested Monday morning at 7:05 a.m. without incident approximately 20 hours after the shooting, Manor Police and the Travis County Sheriff's Office confirmed. Manor Police said Broderick had a loaded pistol in his waistband at the time of his arrest, but no shots were fired.
The Travis County District Attorney's Office has charged Broderick with capital murder in the shooting deaths of his adopted daughter, Alyssa Broderick; ex-wife, Amanda Broderick; and Alyssa's boyfriend, Willie Simmons III.
Broderick was found between Manor and Elgin walking down Old Kimbro Road just south of Highway 290 after at least two 911 calls reported a suspicious person matching Broderick's description. Manor Police said officers immediately responded and conducted a high-risk stop. The department released dashcam video of the arrest.
Dashcam video of Stephen Broderick with his hands up before he was arrested around 7 a.m. on Monday. (Courtesy Manor Police Department) 
Dashcam video of Stephen Broderick being arrested around 7 a.m. on Monday. (Courtesy Manor Police Department) 
Dashcam video of Stephen Broderick being arrested around 7 a.m. on Monday. (Courtesy Manor Police Department) 
Dashcam video of Manor Police taking the gun out of Stephen Broderick's waistband during his arrest on Monday. (Courtesy Manor Police Department) 
Dashcam video of Manor Police taking the bullets out of Stephen Broderick's loaded pistol after his arrest on Monday. (Courtesy Manor Police Department)
"Let me see your hands!" Manor Police officers yelled as they pulled up to Broderick. "Stop right there. Interlock your fingers at the top of your head. Turn around facing away from me. Do it now."
Broderick complied with officers' commands. Officers could be heard asking Broderick if he had a gun. They then pulled the loaded pistol from his waistband before one officer took out the chambered bullet and ammunition.
After his arrest, officers took Broderick to the Travis County Sheriff's Office Central Booking facility in downtown Austin.
"I’m especially grateful to the vigilant citizen who called 911 after seeing Broderick, and to the Manor PD officers and TCSO deputies who took him into custody this morning," Travis County Sheriff Sally Hernandez said in a statement.
Broderick arrested 18 miles east of shooting scene
That shooting took place just before noon Sunday at the Arboretum Oaks Apartments in northwest Austin. It was initially reported as an active shooter situation, but police later said it was an isolated domestic crime.
- If you or someone you know needs help, please call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at (800) 799-7233
According to the Texas Rangers and Travis County court records, Broderick is a former Travis County Sheriff's detective and was charged with sexual assault of a child in June 2020. He bonded out of jail days after his arrest and resigned from the sheriff's office, according to a spokeswoman.
According to Stephen and Amanda's divorce filings, Amanda requested sole custody of their two children (Alyssa, and the couple's nine-year-old son) due to Stephen having a "history or pattern of committing sexual abuse" on a person under age 18. Additionally, Amanda requested all visits with his kids should be supervised and that he not consume alcohol for at least 12 hours before.
Amanda was granted a protective order for her and her children last June.
On the day of the shooting, Austin police say Stephen and Amanda were meeting for a scheduled visit with their son, when Stephen reportedly rammed Amanda's vehicle before opening fire on all the adults in the vehicle.
"I’m truly heartbroken that a former Travis County Sheriff’s Office Deputy is the suspect in such a horrific incident," Sheriff Hernandez added in her statement. "TCSO is standing by to provide any, and all assistance we can to the families of the victims in their time of need."
"I am grateful to the courageous members of our law enforcement who worked around the clock to bring Mr. Broderick into custody without incident," Travis County District Attorney José Garza said in a statement, adding his office will request that Broderick be held without bail. Garza also referenced Broderick's prior release on bail.
"Because Mr. Broderick committed this heinous crime after he paid a money bond to be released on charges related to sexual assault against a child, Texas law permits his detention without bail."
Broderick was also previously an investigator with the Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office.