Texas university area shooting leaves three dead

A gunman has opened fire at near a school in Texas with two dying before he himself was...

15:48 14 August 2012

A gunman has opened fire at near a school in Texas with two dying before he himself was shot dead by police. 

 

Thomas Caffall, 35, shot a police officer who arrived at his house in the immediate vacinity of Texas A&M University to give him an eviction notice on Monday afternoon.

 

The officer slain has been named as Brian Bachmann, 41. A second man identified as bystander Chris Northcliff, 43, was killed in the crossfire before the gunman was shot by police, dying later. 

 

There were more injuries as well: Four others were blasted in the attack in College Station, a university town, including three more police officers and a 55-year-old woman.

 

Caffall was initially wounded at the scene and taken into custody, but died of injuries. 

 

Caffall's sister is understood to be shocked by the violence.

 

The gunman's sibling Courtney Clark released a statement: "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and this is just a senseless tragedy.

 

"We are just distraught by the havoc that he has caused."

 

Assistant police chief Scott McCollum also spoke out and paid tribute to their colleague who was killed at the scene: "Brian Bachmann was very close to everyone in law enforcement.

 

"He was a pillar in this community, and it's sad and tragic that we've lost him today." 

 

University staff and pupils were not at the scene as it's the summer holidays but the campus did issue an emergency warning asking that everyone stay clear.

 

As yet, no motive has been established.