Texas Tech Officer Fatally Shot by Drug Suspect Inside Police Station Identified as Floyd West Jr.

LUBBOCK, Texas -- A Texas Tech University police officer was shot and killed Monday night at the Police Department's headquarters, prompting a lockdown at the Lubbock school that lasted for more than an hour as officials searched for the gunman.

University police made a welfare check at a student's room earlier in the night and found evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia, school spokesman Chris Cook said. Authorities haven't said what led to the welfare check.

Hollis A. Daniels III was taken to the police station on a drug charge. According to an arrest-warrant affidavit, Daniels — who was not wearing handcuffs — was standing near an officer in the department's briefing room while he completed paperwork for Daniels' arrest.

Another officer left the room and heard a bang. When he came back in, he saw the officer — identified Tuesday as Floyd East Jr. — fatally shot in the head. His service weapon was still in the holster, but Daniels and the officer's body camera were gone.

He ran off but was captured near the Lubbock Municipal Auditorium when a Texas Tech officer tackled him, Lubbock police said. Police found a loaded .45-caliber pistol and a police body camera nearby.

East told officers "that he was the one that shot their friend," the affidavit says.

During an interview later, Daniels said he messed up and did "something illogical," according to the affidavit.

The campus and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center were placed on lockdown as police searched for Daniels. The lockdown was lifted about 9:30 p.m. after he was taken into custody.

Daniels, of Seguin, was being held Tuesday at the Lubbock County jail on a charge of capital murder of a peace officer. His bail is set at $5 million.

Gov. Greg Abbott extended his condolences to the family of the officer killed in the shooting, and said he has mobilized the Texas Department of Public Safety to offer any assistance needed.

"As the Texas Tech campus deals with this heartbreaking tragedy, Cecilia and I pray for the continued safety of the students and the entire community," he said.

In a statement, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec thanked the campus and city police, the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office and other agencies for their help.

"Please join me in extending our prayers and heartfelt condolences to the family of one of our Texas Tech police officers who was mortally wounded Monday evening," he said. "I know that the Texas Tech community will respond with support for the family and one another."

Schovanec and university police Chief Kyle Bonath planned a news conference for 3 p.m. Tuesday to address the shooting.

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