Dallas police on Tuesday identified 36-year-old Derick Lamont Brown as the suspected gunman who killed one person and critically wounded a paramedic and another person, during a shooting Monday in an East Dallas neighborhood.
Brown, who has a lengthy criminal history, was acting erratically at his home Monday before forcing his roommate into a back room and fatally shooting him, said Randy Blankenbaker, Dallas' police assistant chief of investigations. The Dallas Morning News reports Brown's roommate was his 66-year-old godfather, Arthur Riggins.
A neighbor heard the gunshots and came outside, where he was shot and critically injured by Brown, Blakenbaker said. Brown then opened fire on emergency responders called to his home around 11:30 a.m., hitting and critically injuring a paramedic. The paramedic, identified as William An, 36, has been with Dallas Fire Rescue for almost 11 years.
Police officers arrived on the scene, and Brown fired at the officers, as they tried to take cover. One officer injured his calf, possibly from gunfire, the assistant chief said.
As one officer approached, Brown turned and pointed his rifle at the officer, prompting another officer to shoot and injure Brown, Blankenbaker said. Brown then retreated to his home.
Officers carried An into a squad car and rushed him to Baylor University Medical Center. An is married, has three-year-old son and another child on the way, said Jason Evans with Dallas Fire Rescue.
After blocking access to the area Monday, police sent a robot into Brown's home, where it found Brown and his roommate dead.
In a press conference Monday, Mayor Mike Rawlings said the paramedic was in critical, but stable condition, and that "he is going to have to undergo extensive medical treatment to get him back up to par."
Dallas Fire Rescue workers have access to body armor kits, but those vests are handed out in limited situations. An was not wearing body armor.
The department is looking into whether to change that policy.
