Bryan Police Department chief Eric Buske confirmed on Thursday that the shooting incident at Kent Moore Cabinets in Bryan, Texas, killed one and injured four, while another person was hospitalized after suffering an asthma attack.
He also said that the police may have a suspect in custody, noting that it appears he was an employee at the business.
The Bryan Police Department, in a tweeted statement, confirmed seven victims, among them one deceased, four hospitalized in critical condition, one with a minor injury and one "medical related to the incident". It was also confirmed that the suspect is an employee at the business, and he has been arrested, with his motives remaining unknown.
Suspect is in custody. He Is an employee of the business. The motive is unknown at this time.
— Bryan Police Department (@BryanPolice) April 8, 2021
Texas Governor Greg Abbott released a statement after the shooting incident, confirming the arrest of the suspect and sending prayers to those affected.
"I have been working closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers as they assist local law enforcement on a swift response to this criminal act. Their efforts led to the arrest of the shooting suspect", Abbott tweeted. "Cecilia & I are praying for the victims & their families & for the injured officer".
I’ve been working with @TxDPS & TX Rangers as they assist local law enforcement on a swift response to this criminal act. Their efforts led to the arrest of the shooting suspect.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 8, 2021
Cecilia & I are praying for the victims & their families & for the injured officer. pic.twitter.com/RJAXgmRBuC
The Texas Department of Public Safety said that a trooper was shot in the incident, and he remains in "serious but stable condition."
A DPS Trooper was shot while pursuing an individual suspected of being involved in the shooting in Bryan. He remains in serious but stable condition. 💙🙏🏼
— Texas DPS (@TxDPS) April 8, 2021
Earlier, a law enforcement alert said that the shooting incident in Bryan left at least 7 people injured, with local media reporting that several people were in critical condition.
"Multiple patient shooting. At least 7 people shot. 501 Industrial Blvd, Bryan, TX," the law enforcement alert said.
The suspect, who was reportedly armed with a semi-automatic rifle, was said to be at large at the time.
"We received a call of a shooting here at 350 Stone City Drive. Officers responded, they found several victims. They're checking the area, checking the building for more victims. Right now the subject is at large," Bryan Police Department Officer Lt. Jason James said in a press conference shortly after the incident.
The Bryan Police Department and local first responders responded to a shooting at 350 Stone City Dr. Officers on scene found several victims. All victims were transported to local hospitals. The suspect is still at large. This is still an active investigation.
— Bryan Police Department (@BryanPolice) April 8, 2021
Local media outlet KBTX 3 reported that local Jane Long Intermediate School was temporarily under a sealed perimeter, but students were released to parents around normal dismissal time.
The motive or description of the shooter remains unclear.
On the scene of a reported shooting at Kent Moore Cabinets in Bryan. Will have more info as it becomes available: pic.twitter.com/l12PCpH6O2
— 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕤 𝕃. 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕟 (@Travis_L_Brown) April 8, 2021
BREAKING: There has been a mass shooting at a business in Bryan in the 300 block of Stone City Drive. At least six injured, several in critical condition according to my sources.
— Rusty Surette (@KBTXRusty) April 8, 2021
2:58 pm pic.twitter.com/JarARiu2hN
The Bryan incident comes after two recent deadly shootings in Boulder, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia, which killed 10 and 8, respectively. In wake of these new shootings, the Biden administration on Wednesday announced what it described as "six initial actions" to address gun violence, particularly pledging to stop the proliferation of so-called 'ghost guns,' and implementing a "red flag" legislation that would allow for temporarily barring people of concern from accessing weapons.
On Thursday, Biden also called to remove gun manufacturers from legal immunity for the weapons they manufacture that they currently enjoy in Congress.
"The only industry in America, a billion dollar industry that can’t be sued, exempt from being sued are gun manufacturers,” Biden said.
The president's new initiative on gun control has reignited debate and prompted criticism from some, particularly from the Republican Texas governor, who accused Biden of threatening rights provided to Americans by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, that states that the right of Americans to bear arms shall not be infringed.
