DALLAS — Authorities said Wednesday that two bounty hunters and the fugitive they were tracking shot each other dead in a hail of bullets that sent customers and employees fleeing for cover at a Texas car dealership.

The two men had pursued Ramon Michael Hutchinson, 49, to a Nissan dealership in Greenville, about 50 miles northeast of Dallas Tuesday. Stew Peters, a Minnesota-based bounty hunter, said Hutchinson had been sought since March, when he failed to appear for a court hearing.

Peters said he received a phone call Tuesday from Fidel Garcia Jr., a private investigator based in Corpus Christi, to say Garcia and colleague Gabriel Bernal had tracked Hutchinson to the dealership.

After an hours-long wait, the two bounty hunters approached. Garcia and Bernal drew their weapons. Hutchinson responded by drawing a weapon, and a gunfight ensued.

‘‘Mr. Garcia felt the defendant would ultimately appear at that dealership,’’ Peters said. ‘‘Unfortunately Mr. Hutchinson was more prepared for a gunfight.’’

ASSOCIATED PRESS