1 dead, 5 others shot in Texas industrial park; suspect in custody
One person was killed and five others were wounded Thursday after a gunman opened fire at a manufacturing facility in Bryan, Texas, officials said. The suspect, described as an employee, has been arrested.
He was arrested in a neighboring county by state troopers, and a trooper was shot and wounded during that effort, a spokesman for the state department of public safety said.
Four of the victims were said to be in critical condition, and a fifth suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. The trooper shot in the arrest attempt was at a hospital and stable.
Bryan police responded to Kent Moore Cabinets around 2:30 p.m. and found multiple people had been shot and the gunman had fled, police Chief Eric Buske said.
The name of the person who was killed will be released Friday, Bryan police said.
The suspect, identified as Larry Bollin, 27, of Grimes County, has been charged with murder, police said. Officials said the motive is unknown.
There are no other suspects in the shooting, Buske said. He said he believed a handgun was used in the shooting.
An hour after police arrived on the shooting, a trooper was shot south of the town of Iola as officials attempted to take the suspect into custody, Texas Department of Public Safety Lt. Craig Cummings said.
He was arrested by state troopers about 4:20 p.m.
"The state will assist in any way needed to help prosecute the suspect," Gov. Greg Abbott said. "Cecilia and I are praying for the victims and their families and for the law enforcement officer injured while apprehending the suspect."
Kent Moore Cabinets said that it was cooperating with authorities and supporting its employees.
"We are devastated by the events today at our Bryan manufacturing facility," the company said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to the families and the loved ones of those affected. We want to thank the many members of our law enforcement teams and other emergency personnel who responded so quickly."
The shooting occurred just hours after President Joe Biden announced a series of executive orders to curb gun violence. Biden's executive actions, which are likely to face legal hurdles, are aimed at reducing mass shootings, suicides and domestic violence.
"Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it is an international embarrassment," Biden said Thursday.
One of Biden's orders would direct the Justice Department to write rules that would reduce the proliferation of "ghost guns," homemade firearms often made from parts bought online, which do not have traceable serial numbers.
Another order directs the Justice Department to publish model "red flag" laws for states to use as guides for laws that allow family members or law enforcement agencies to petition state courts to temporarily block people from obtaining firearms if they present a danger to themselves or others.
