Ax-wielding UNT student fatally shot

Campus officials say it’s unclear whether victim was intoxicated at time of shooting

An ax-wielding University of North Texas student was fatally shot near the UNT campus after he advanced toward a university officer early Sunday, officials said.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office identified the man as Ryan McMillan, who turned 21 on Saturday. He was a second-year transfer student from Fort Worth studying pre-hospitality, said Kelley Reese, UNT spokeswoman.

“This is a tragic event that saddens us as a university community,” said UNT President Neal Smatresk in a statement. “We offer our condolences to the individuals, their families and all involved.”

First shooting in 23 years

Police had responded about 1 a.m. to a report that someone was breaking car windows near Fry and Oak streets, about two blocks away from campus, said UNT spokeswoman Margarita Venegas.

When the officer arrived, the suspect “advanced” toward him with the ax in his hand, Venegas said. The officer, whose name has not been released, fatally shot him.

Bink Ruckthongsook, who photographed the shooting scene, said he heard three gunshots, KXAS-TV (NBC5) reported.

McMillan was then transported to the Denton Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, according to the medical examiner.

A video obtained by UNT’s student newspaper, the North Texas Daily, appears to show the suspect walking out of a parking garage with a tool in his right hand.

This is the first time in at least 23 years that a UNT police officer has discharged a weapon while on duty, Reese said.

Some friends who knew McMillan said they don’t think he deserved to be shot.

McMillan’s childhood friend, Matthew McDermott, and high school tennis teammate Lindsey Norman said they don’t believe McMillan would have meant harm to anybody, and wonder if the police officer could have tried to stop McMillan another way besides shooting him to death.

‘Charlie Brown’

To his friends, he was “Charlie Brown,” a nickname his tennis teammates gave him because he was sweet and a little shy but said humorous things that made people laugh, McDermott said.

“I can’t really put into words how I feel about the fact that one of the nicest people I ever met was shot because an officer felt threatened,” McDermott said. “I want to drive to Denton and scream at the top of my lungs at the police department, but that’s stupid and irrational. But it just really angers me.”

Both McDermott and Norman said they thought McMillan might have been under the influence. He had been celebrating his 21st birthday that weekend.

Reese said she does not know yet whether McMillan was intoxicated or how many shots were fired. The Texas Rangers, who are investigating the case, could not be reached for comment all day.

The UNT police officer has temporarily been placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation, Venegas said.