A 19-year-old Texas Tech University student was charged early Tuesday with capital murder of a peace officer in the fatal shooting of a police officer at the campus police station, where he was being questioned in a drug-related case, authorities said.
University spokesman Chris Cook said that campus police made a student welfare check Monday evening and, upon entering the room, found evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia. Officers then brought the suspect, identified as Hollis Daniels, to the police station for standard debriefing and to prepare to take him to the Lubbock County jail.
While at the station, Cook said the suspect pulled out a gun and shot officer Floyd East Jr. in the head, killing him. The suspect then fled on foot before being apprehended a short time later. Officers tackled the suspect in a parking lot next to the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum.
University officials issued an alert around 9:30 p.m. saying the lockdown order on campus had been lifted.
Update from @TexasTech on the shooting tonight. pic.twitter.com/yVDeBWrkYE
— Matthew Watkins (@MWatkinsTrib) October 10, 2017
It is not clear if Daniels had the gun on him when he was taken to the police station or if he took the weapon from an officer. Daniels is a freshman from Seguin, Texas, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.
Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted Monday night that he had spoken with Texas Tech Chancellor Robert Duncan and had authorized Texas DPS officers in the area to offer assistance to Lubbock police.
Statement from Abbott on shooting
Statement on the shooting that occurred at @TexasTech this evening. pic.twitter.com/J92GP7UGOp
— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) October 10, 2017
