Suspect arrested in fatal shooting of two sisters at Texas A&M

DALLAS — A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of two sisters in a Texas A&M University-Commerce dorm room.

Jacques Dshawn Smith, 21, who is not a student at the university, faces a capital murder charge, campus police said Tuesday.

He is believed to be the ex-boyfriend of one of the sisters, 20-year-old Abbaney Matts.

She and her 19-year-old sister, Deja Matts, were found dead in Pride Rock residence hall Monday morning. Abbaney Matts’ 2-year-old son, who was also wounded, was hospitalized in stable condition.

Police, who have not elaborated on what led up to the shooting, said evidence including witness tips helped identify Smith as the suspect. Police have not said whether a weapon was recovered.

Deja Matts was a freshman from Garland who was studying public health, the university said. Her sister was not enrolled at the school.

Police said they found the women’s bodies after a student called them at 10:17 a.m. Monday. In a 911 call police released Tuesday, the student said she’d found a hole in the wall of her room when she returned from class.

“There’s a hole through my wall and ... on the other side directly across there’s a nick in my calendar, so it looks like something shot through my wall and hit my calendar. And the wall is all broken apart,” the student said calmly.

The student said she’d looked for “the object” that went through the wall but couldn’t find anything.

The university told students and faculty and staff members on its website and on Twitter shortly before noon Monday to stay in place while the shooting was being investigated. The shelter-in-place request was lifted just before 1:30 p.m.

Pride Rock, a coed dorm for freshmen, remained closed until 10:15 p.m. Monday. All classes have been canceled through Wednesday.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the family, friends and students impacted by today’s tragic event,” university President Mark Rudin said in a written statement Monday evening. “During this difficult time, we encourage our Lion family – students, faculty, staff and friends – to remain supportive of each other.”

A Facebook account that appears to belong to Smith posted Tuesday morning saying he would have protected Abbaney Matts if he had been there during the shooting.