Two killed in 'random' Houston shooting

Two people have been killed and six others injured in what police described as a "random" shooting in a suburban neighbourhood.

According to police at least one gunman - armed with a high-powered rifle - began "shooting randomly" in the west Houston on Sunday resulting in the deployment of a police S.W.A.T team and the death of one bystander and one suspect.

It is not yet clear what sparked the shooting but police confirmed that the incident started just after 11am at an auto repair shop shortly after a customer arrived to drop off his car.

Houston police spokesman John Cannon told a press conference that the victim of the shooting, a man in his 50s, had "parked his car to get it detailed, and in a minute or two, the suspect came out and shot him for no apparent reason".

Four civilians and two constables were injured in the shooting which also saw a gas pump erupt in flames after being struck by a bullet and a police helicopter shot at multiple times.