COMMERCE, Texas – Two people were killed and another wounded in a shooting at a Texas A&M University-Commerce residence hall Monday, according to campus police.
“A&M-Commerce UPD is actively investigating three gunshot victims in Pride Rock Residence Hall on the A&M-Commerce campus,” the Texas A&M-Commerce University Police Department said on Twitter. “Students, faculty and staff are instructed to take shelter and stay in place until further notice. This is a precautionary measure.”
“There have been two confirmed deaths. The third victim has been taken to the hospital for treatment,” the university wrote in a statement on its website. “UPD has stationed officers throughout the campus, including all key gathering points, for the safety of the campus community”
The school did not comment on the individuals killed in the shooting.
Texas A&M University-Commerce is a satellite campus located about 65 miles northeast of Dallas.
Pride Rock is a three-story residence hall, which houses freshmen, reported Dallas Morning News.
Larry Cooper III, a freshman at the university, lives in Pride Rock. He said he left his room, which is on the second floor, just before the shelter-in-place was announced.
“I actually left earlier than I usually leave,” he said. “If I hadn’t left my room a few minutes earlier I would be stuck in my room right now. Anyone still on the second floor can’t leave their room.”
He said he’s waiting in a friend’s room on the first floor of the residence hall during the shelter-in-place with a few other students.
“There’s police blocking the doorways, but other than that we’re all just kind of sitting in and waiting on the news to happen,” Cooper said.
Although the campuswide shelter-in-place request was lifted, the Pride Rock residence hall and surrounding areas were still blocked Monday afternoon. University police had stationed officers throughout campus, including all key gathering points.
University police said all classes were canceled for the rest of the day amid an active criminal investigation. A&M-Commerce said additional shelters were available at the Club and in the ballrooms at Rayburn Student Center.
The university said the Rayburn Student Center was available for displaced students and counselors were available there for anyone who needed assistance.
