Police in Texas say a gunman fired more than 100 rounds at the Mexican consulate in Austin, police headquarters and other city centre buildings before he was killed.

Police Chief Art Acevedo said a police sergeant shot at the gunman, who was about 50, outside the police station. He said it is not yet clear if police fatally shot the suspect or if he took his own life.

The sergeant, who had just completed a mounted horse patrol, was holding the reins to two horses when he fired.

Mr Acevedo says officers who approached the suspect saw cylinders in his nearby vehicle and discovered he was wearing a vest they thought may be rigged to explode. Officers retreated and the bomb squad was called.

It was later determined the items were not explosive.