Shooting at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse

STEINER RANCH (KXAN) - In the fourth day of the manhunt, the search for the Steiner Ranch shooting suspect expands another 5- to 7 miles toward Lake Travis. Blood hounds and cadaver dogs join in the search Thursday for a military-trained gunman responsible for one death at the Steiner Ranch Steakhouse still on the loose.

The search team is combing a 1,000-acre stretch of thickly wooded land bordered by Bullick Hollow, Comanche Trail, Oasis Bluff and Ranch Road 2222. Since the search expansion includes Lake Travis, Lake Patrol will also help in the search for the suspect.

Authorities said Brian Carl Beck's Naval wilderness survival training has helped in eluding them for so long. Beck ditched his car Monday about 1 mile from where the shooting took place before taking off on foot.

The shooting just before 4 p.m. Monday at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse left one employee dead. Though the restaurant was not open at the time of the shooting, initial reports indicated Beck, 27, walked into the restaurant Monday afternoon while employees were getting ready to open the steakhouse and shot manager Christopher Martin, 29.

According to court records, Martin was standing near the restaurant entrance with two assistant managers. Those employees told police Beck walked in, pulled a black, semiautomatic handgun and shot Martin. According to reports, Beck calmly told a lady hiding under a table, "Don't worry. I am not going to hurt you." Court records indicate the two may have exchanged words Dec. 6, the same day Beck walked off the job.

The Austin Police Department assisted the Travis County Sheriff's Department in locating Beck, who left the restaurant in an SUV before abandoning it and running into the woods at 11956 Bullick Hollow Rd after the shooting. Police blocked off traffic at Bullick Hollow and 620 , at Oasis Bluff Drive and Comanche Trail off of 620. The search was put on hold Monday night due to the darkness, and Beck was last seen walking away from the vehicle on foot in a green jacket with blue jeans. Beck weighs about 170 pounds and is 5 feet 11 inches tall with brown hair.

The restaurant owner said Beck was a busboy who walked off the job last week. Beck worked for the compnay just two weeks.

"We are shocked and saddened by the tragic events that occurred today," said restaurant co-owner Cosmo Palmieri. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim, his family and all of our employees. We have been in contact with the Travis County Sheriff's Office, and we are cooperating fully with their investigation."

Law enforcement talked to more than 40 people on the scene after the incident Monday, trying to determine a motive for the murder. The Travis County Sheriff's Office is seeking a search warrant for the abandoned vehicle and searched Beck's home Tuesday, only a couple miles from the restaurant.

Anyone with information on Beck's whereabouts, or those who see him, are asked to call 911 immediately. Beck is considered dangerous and should not be approached.