Texas Tech University student shoots police officer dead

A college freshman shot and killed a campus police officer at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, in west Texas, on Monday, after the student was taken to the university police station for questioning in a drug-related case, said authorities

10 October 2017, 9:00am

1 min read

The on-campus fatal shooting caused authorities to put the university on lockdown, as they searched for the student, who fled the station on foot and was identified by the school as Hollis A. Daniels, 19.

The university’s Twitter account and online emergency alert system urged those in campus to take shelter at about 8:30pm on Monday. Daniels was caught about an hour later and the lockdown was subsequently lifted.

Daniels was charged with evading arrest and other charges were pending.

BREAKING: #TexasTech on lockdown after university police officer shot and killed. Have you seen this man? pic.twitter.com/AiElmx2nPO
— Bryan Dawson (@BryanDawsonUSA) October 10, 2017

Earlier on Monday evening, officers with the campus police department made a so-called student welfare check in Daniels room. The officers entered his room and found evidence of drug paraphernalia, according to spokesman for the university Chris Cook.

Officers took him to the police station for a “standard debriefing”, said Cook. He then pulled out a gun and shot a campus officer in the head, killing him.

According to officials, a Texas Tech police officer later tackled Daniels as he fled near the Lubbock Municipal Coliseum and took him into custody.

ALL-CLEAR: The suspect has been apprehended. Lockdown lifted on campus. Avoid TTUPD, north side of campus. https://t.co/jOFvYnGgL6.
— Texas Tech (@TexasTech) October 10, 2017

In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott said he had spoken with the chancellor of the Texas Tech University and offered his condolences.

“First and foremost, our hearts go out to the family of the police officer killed at Texas Tech University” said Abott.