Who is the Suspected Texas Capitol Gunman?

HOUSTON - Travis County officials say the man suspected of opening fire on the steps of the Texas Capitol is a 24-year-old from Houston.

Fausto Cardenas is in jail facing charges of deadly conduct discharging a fire arm at individuals, officials said.

A motive for the shooting was not immediately known.

Officers took Cardenas into custody and at a later press conference confirmed he was "from the Houston area."

Shortly before the shooting, the suspect had walked into the office of State Sen. Dan Patrick, who represents a portion of the Houston area.

Patrick was not in Austin Thurs.

"An individual came into my Austin Senate office today acting strangely, staff called security, moments later shots fired on Capitol steps," Patrick wrote on his Twitter feed.

The suspect reportedly had been insisting on speaking with a female member of Patrick's staff. When he was asked to leave, he became frustrated but obliged with the request.

Minutes after, the shots were fired outside.

Patrick said he is now pouring over his own Facebook, Twitter lists to see if he somehow had any contact with the suspect.

In a statement issued to the media, Gov. Rick Perry comnended officers, stating:

“I commend the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers who responded swiftly to a shooter on the South Steps of the State Capitol. Thanks to their efforts no one was injured and the shooter was apprehended immediately and taken in to custody.”

However, Patrick said he plans to send a letter to colleagues asking for a review of security at the Capitol. He wants metal detectors installed at the main entrance of the building and increased security.

Patrick says he still favors the law allowing concealed handgun license holders to enter the Capitol with their weapons because people ought to be able to protect themselves. Patrick himself regularly carries a gun into the Capitol.