Two Texas Sheriffs have been slain while a city employee was left in critical condition after a heated encounter with a gunman.
According to New York Daily News, the two Concho County marshals had responded to a dog complaint on Monday.
The two, who were identified as Deputy Samuel Leonard and Sgt. Stephen Jones, along with an Eden City employee had a heated argument that quickly surged with an exchange of gunfire. The two deputies were killed in the encounter while the unnamed employee was critically injured after sustaining gunshot wounds.
The 28-year-old gunman who was identified as Jeffrey Nicholas was arrested and has been sent to Tom Green County Jail following the shooting. He has been charged with two counts of capital murder against a peace officer and was held accountable twice of a $2 million bond for each of the county officers that he killed.
The Department of Public Safety said that the two deputies together with the city employee responded to a dog complaint along the 100th block of Bryan Street in Eden. Further details about the altercation that lead to the deadly shooting were not discussed.
KXAN reported that the bodies of the slain county officials were sent to Lubbock for autopsy at around 10:45am the next day and first responders from the city accompanied their vehicle in a short procession.
The Lubbock Police Department extended their sympathy to the Concho County Sheriff Department using their official Facebook account on Tuesday.
See posts, photos and more on Facebook.
The Facebook post included details on the route and schedule of the short procession that was dedicated in memory of the two deputies.
Texas House of Representative Member Drew Darby also expressed his condolences to the killed deputies families. “The loss of life in that community is extraordinary and I’m extremely saddened by that,” he said, leading the Texas House in a moment of silence on Tuesday morning, in honor of Deputy Leonard and Sgt. Jones.
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abott said that their hearts were “broken” after the “senseless” murder of the two Concho County officers while on duty. He added the “terrible loss” is an inspiring reminder that law enforcement officers risk their lives in order to protect the community.
