Breaking-Three shot inside Texas A&M University residence hall: campus police

[Gefn]

Two people were killed and another wounded in a shooting at a Texas A&M University residence hall Monday, according to campus police.

“A&M-Commerce UPD is actively investigating three gunshot victims in Pride Rock Residence Hall on the A&M-Commerce campus,” the Texas A&M-Commerce University Police Department said on Twitter. “Students, faculty and staff are instructed to take shelter and stay in place until further notice. This is a precautionary measure.”

The university police said all classes were canceled for the rest of the day amid an active criminal investigation.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/texas-am-university-shooting

[PeteS in CA]

The article, at this point, says nothing about the shooter. Even if the shooter's whereabouts are unknown, that seems like an odd omission.

[Gefn]

It seems to be a developing story.

[mystery-ak]

3 People Shot, 2 Dead At Texas A&M University-Commerce
February 3, 2020 at 2:12 pm

COMMERCE, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – An active criminal investigation is ongoing at Texas A&M University-Commerce where three people were shot, two are confirmed dead and another was taken to the hospital.

Students took shelter immediately after the shooting at Pride Rock Residence Hall. But the university lifted the precautionary shelter in place recommendations by 1:37 p.m.

All classes were canceled for the remainder of the day and evening at the campus.

Also, the campus stationed officers throughout the grounds, including all key gathering points, for the safety of the campus community.

Due to the ongoing investigation, Pride Rock and surrounding areas are still blocked off.

The Rayburn Student Center is available for students who were displaced by the incident.

Counselors are available in Rayburn Student Center conference rooms on campus for those in need of help coping with the situation.

more
https://dfw.cbslocal.com/2020/02/03/3-people-shot-texas-am-university-commerce/

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Saw this news on CNN who just had to add this kicker at end of article, implying CC was somehow the cause of these murders.

As of August 2016, those who hold a current and valid concealed handgun license in Texas are allowed to carry a concealed handgun on certain parts of the campus. Handgun license holders are also allowed to store the weapon in a safe in their campus housing, according to the policy. https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/03/us/texas-am-university-commerce-fatal-shooting/index.html

I hope when this is over we find out that someone legally carrying stopped the shooting spree, just like the church members did at White Settlement.

[Victoria33]

@mystery-ak

This university, before A&M took it over, was East Texas State University.  I went there when I got out of highschool, lived in a dorm.  I have two degrees from there.

[Victoria33]

@mystery-ak

Just saw this on Channel 11, Dallas, 6:10 pm., central time.  Two women dead, one child about 2 yrs. old hurt, taken to hospital, says child will recover.  Saw police chief, he said what I posted and did not mention whether they had the shooter or not.  Channel 11 said they would report more at 10 pm if they get more.

Commerce is about an hour northeast of Dallas.  News people said the residence hall where this happened is for freshmen and athletes.

[PeteS in CA]

So far this AM - ~22 hours after the bodies were found - I've seen reports that the wounded child is 2 and 10. And the university hasn't even said whether the two women who are dead are students. Alfred E. Newman and Mortimer Snerd would handle this better.

[mountaineer]

A child was in a dormitory?

...  University Police Chief Bryan Vaughn said officers responded to a call from another building resident at about 10:17 a.m. local time. Officers found two dead women in a room.

"A third person, a small child who is approximately 2 years old who is in stable condition, was also in the room," Vaughn said.  ...

Multiple law enforcement sources told NBC News that investigators believe those involved in the shooting knew each other.

NBC News

[PeteS in CA]

A child was in a dormitory?

NBC News

Back in ancient times when I was in high school a girl in my class got pregnant. I think she was the only one in a high school where classes were ~500 for each graduating year. She dropped out, married the guy, and had her baby (decades later I learned she had continued her education, and she and hubby were about to celebrate their 50th anniversary).

The campus of that high school, the same campus from which I graduated, now has a daycare center.

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Arrest Made; Sisters Killed in A&M Commerce Residence Hall Identified

The ex-boyfriend of one of the two sisters shot and killed inside a East Texas university residence hall Monday has been arrested and is expected to be charged with capital murder, police say.

Texas A&M University-Commerce police said 21-year-old Jacques Dshawn Smith is in custody and is believed to have fatally shot his ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old Abbaney Matts, along with her 19-year-old sister, freshman Deja Matts, and Deja's 2-year-old son, inside the Pride Rock residence hall.

University police confirmed the arrest on Twitter Tuesday afternoon, saying witness tips and surveillance video led to the development of Smith as a suspect.

Rowlett SWAT, along with the Texas DPS and Texas Rangers, executed search and arrest warrants at Smith's Rowlett home on Luna Road and took him into custody Tuesday afternoon.

NBC 5 has learned Smith was free on bond related to an alleged assault family violence incident that took place last week. The report was filed by Abbaney Matts, one of the shooting victims.

According to Garland police, Abbaney said Smith assaulted her Jan. 26 at a home on Bosque Drive with a frying pan, lamp and then pulled out a knife before leaving the residence. Though she was not hospitalized, Abbaney reported injuries to the right side of her head, her eyes and had red marks and abrasions after the alleged attack.

Smith was arrested and an emergency protective order was issued on Abbaney's behalf. Smith was freed Jan. 29 after posting $15,000 bond.

NBC 5 has also learned Smith has a string of priors dating back four years with charges including evading arrest, theft and aggravated robbery.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/garland-sisters-identified-as-victims-in-texas-am-commerce-shooting/2304721/

[mountaineer]

Good grief.