Two West Texas sheriff’s deputies were shot dead and a city employee was critically injured after responding to a dog complaint on Monday night, authorities said.
The deadly shooting occurred soon after the trio arrived at a home in the city of Eden at about 8:40 p.m., according to Sgt. Justin Baker of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
While the two Concho County sheriff’s deputies and the Eden city employee were engaging with people at the home, “an altercation occurred and quickly escalated to gunfire,” Baker said.
Baker on Tuesday announced the arrest of the shooting suspect, Jeffrey Nicholas, 28.
Nicholas is charged with two counts of capital murder of a peace officer. He is being held in Tom Green County Jail on $4 million bond.
“This terrible loss is a solemn reminder of the risks our brave law enforcement officers face while protecting our communities,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on Twitter.
With Post wires