Texas Tech officials say that student Hollis Daniels, 19, is being held in police custody after being accused of shooting and killing an officer at the campus police station Monday night.
Hollis, a college freshman, was arrested after officers performed a welfare check at his dorm room and found evidence of drug use and paraphernalia. He was then taken to the campus police station to be admitted for a standard debriefing, according to the Associated Press.
Upon arrival, Hollis managed to pull out a gun and shoot an officer in the head, killing him. Hollis then fled on foot before being tackled by another Texas Tech officer. He has since been charged with capital murder of a peace officer, according to ABC News.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has since mobilized state law enforcement resources to help Lubbock and Texas Tech University police investigate the murder, posting his statement on Twitter:
Statement on the shooting that occurred at @TexasTech this evening. pic.twitter.com/J92GP7UGOp
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) October 10, 2017
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also took to Twitter, writing, "Heidi and I are praying for all those on Texas Tech's campus this evening. Please be safe and heed warnings from campus officials."
In addition to Cruz, 83rd District State Rep. Dustin Burrows said, "Heartbroken for the family of the fallen officer. Proud of our law enforcement for arresting the suspect so quickly."
Reports also indicate that several other universities including Oklahoma State, Iowa State, UT at Austin, and the University of Houston, have reached out to offer condolences after the tragedy.
Back at Texas Tech, President Lawrence Schovanec issued a statement offering his own condolences:
Please join me in extending our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family of one of our Texas Tech police officers who was mortally wounded Monday evening. We will provide more information once all members of the family are notified. I know that the Texas Tech community will respond with support for the family and one another.
We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Texas Tech Police Department, Lubbock Police Department, Lubbock County Sheriff’s Office, and other local, state and federal agencies for their response during this tragic event.
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