© KBTX-TV photo
HOUSTON (FOX 26) -
Three people are dead, including an elected constable, after a shooting near Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
Around 12:12 p.m. Monday, shots were fired near Fidelity Street and Wellborn Road, College Station Police say.
Officers found Brazos County Precinct 1 Constable Brian Bachmann on the ground in front of a home. Detectives believe Bachmann was serving an eviction notice at the shooter's home, now identified as 35-year-old Thomas Alton Caffall III.
Caffall, possibly armed with an automatic weapon, fired at the officers as they arrived. Gunfire lasted 30 minutes before he went down on Fidelity Street, southeast of the Texas A&M Student Recreation Center, a College Station PD spokeswoman said.
A bystander, 43-year-old Christopher Northcliff, was shot during the incident. He, Constable Bachmann and Cafall were pronounced dead at a hospital, College Station Assistant Police Chief Scott McCollum said in a news conference.
Several others were injured in the shooting:
-- A Houston woman, possibly 55 years old, is in serious condition after undergoing surgery for her wounds
-- Officer Justin Oehlke was shot in the calf. He is out of surgery and is listed in stable condition
-- Officer Brad Smith was injured by gun shrapnel. He was treated and released
-- Officer Phil Dorsett was injured by gun shrapnel. He was treated and released
Another officer was injured but refused to be taken to the hospital.
A&M issued a "Code Maroon" alert around 12:45 p.m., warning students to stay away from the area.
No other suspects have been named in this shooting.
Statement from the suspected shooter's family:
"Our family was shocked and devastated by the tragedy this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the deceased and the wounded victims. We mourn them and the loss of Tres. He had been ill. It breaks our hearts his illness led to this.
"Please respect our privacy in our grief."
Texas Attorney General Abbott on the Shooting in College Station
Senseless attacks by violent criminals have no place in the State of Texas--and will not be tolerated. The Attorney General's Office has offered law enforcement assistance to the Department of Public Safety and our Crime Victim Services personnel have contacted local authorities to ensure they have whatever resources are necessary to aid the victims of this terrible crime.
