Suspected gunman arrested in off-campus Texas party shooting that killed 2 people and injured 12 others

Police on Monday arrested the suspect in a deadly shooting at an off-campus party in Texas, which drew a Sunday vigil that also saw more shots fired.

Brandon Ray Gonzales, 23, was taken into custody on a charge of capital murder. Authorities believe he may have been targeting one person, Meeks said, and shot others at random.

Two people were killed and 12 others injured near a Texas A&M campus in Greenville, about 50 miles northeast of Dallas, when shots rang out around midnight early Sunday.

"When the shots were fired, it was complete chaos as people fled for safety and deputies attempted to locate the shooter," Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks said.

Here's what we know:

What happened during the shooting at the party?

Gunfire erupted as hundreds of people, mostly in their late teens or early 20s, were at a Saturday Halloween and homecoming party for Texas A&M University-Commerce, though officials have said it was not a school-sanctioned event.

Meeks said the shooter entered through the back door of The Party Venue, about 15 miles from the school's campus, and began firing with a handgun.

After shooting a targeted victim, the gunman began firing at random, Meeks said.

The rampage caused the 750 people in the venue to flee, including the shooter.

"The amount of people that were there, the overcrowdedness of it – it gave the opportunity for this shooter to be able to accomplish whatever he wanted to accomplish,” Meeks said, per the Dallas Morning News. "When you have this many people in one place, it’s an easy target for somebody."

Meeks said deputies were at the venue when the shooting happened, responding to calls about parking complaints. Deputies heard gunshots coming from the back of the building but could not immediately determine whether the shots were fired from inside or outside, Meeks said.

Markeice Ford said he had just come out of the men's bathroom when he heard six or seven gunshots. He said he ducked to the floor, looked around and saw "about three dead bodies." He said he never saw the shooter.

"I must have been close to some of it because I got blood all over my clothes," he told WFAA-TV. "I was trying to see if something happened to me because I had blood everywhere."

Who are the victims?

Authorities on Monday identified the two male victims as Kevin Berry Jr., 23, of Dallas, and Byron Craven Jr., 23, of Arlington.

Among the 12 people injured, half were gunshot victims while the other half were trampled or hurt by glass in the chaos, said Sgt. Jeff Haines, a spokesman for the sheriff’s department.

One victim was in critical condition on Monday, Meeks said, and four others still in the hospital were in good condition.

Berry’s uncle, Cloyse Caruthers Jr., told the Morning News his nephew was at the party with friends and was not a Texas A&M-Commerce student.

"I'm more angry than anything," he told the newspaper. "What were they thinking involving innocent people in this mess? He had so much promise."

Berry's mother, Nakima Alexander, told WFAA-TV her son was a father of two and expecting another child.

Craven's parents told KXAS-TV that their son, who worked as a security guard, was about to become an uncle early next year.

"There are no words to express the loss," Bryon Craven Sr. said. "If there is anything we can do to make things better so it won't happen to another kid, another family. This is not something I want anybody to go through."

What happened during the vigil?

Berry's friends and family gathered Sunday evening at a Dallas park to remember their relative and friend when at least one person opened fire.

Dallas police said the shooting stemmed from a "disturbance" at the vigil and that no injuries were reported.

At least one vehicle was struck with bullets as vigil goers ran for cover.

What do police know about the shooter?

Authorities arrested Gonzales at an auto dealership, where he worked, Meeks said at a press conference. Bond was set at $1 million.

The motive for the shooting has not been identified, Meeks said. Investigators believe Gonzales, who lived in Greenville, acted alone.

Other than a minor traffic incident, Meeks said Gonzales was unknown to police.

What is Texas A&M University-Commerce?

Texas A&M University-Commerce is a satellite campus of the Texas A&M University System and the second-largest university in the system, according to its website.

University President Mark Rudin said in a statement that four current students were treated at local hospitals and released following the shooting.

"Last night’s tragedy in Greenville, Texas, has touched and saddened our university community," Rudin said. "Our heartfelt sympathies extend to all victims, their families, and friends."

The school is about 60 miles northeast of Dallas.

Contributing: John Bacon, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas shooting: Suspected gunman arrested; shots fired at vigil