2 killed, toddler wounded at Texas A&M

DALLAS — Two women were fatally shot and a toddler was wounded Monday at a Texas A&M University-Commerce residence hall.

The child, who is about 2 years old, was hospitalized in stable condition, campus police Chief Bryan Vaughn confirmed at a news conference Monday afternoon.

Authorities declined to answer questions at the news conference, and they did not release the victims’ names or say whether the women were students.

Police said they found the two women dead and the baby wounded after a student called them at 10:17 a.m.

In a Twitter post at 11:53 a.m., university officials told students, faculty and staff members to remain sheltered in place while the shootings at the Pride Rock residence hall were investigated.

The shelter-in-place request was lifted shortly before 1:30 p.m., and at the news conference Monday afternoon the police chief said there wasn’t a continuing threat on campus. University police had stationed officers throughout campus, including all key gathering points.

All classes, programs and events have been canceled through Wednesday, the university announced. But campus services for students will continue, and the faculty and staff are expected to report to work.

Larry Cooper III, a freshman at the university, lives in Pride Rock, a three-story residence hall for freshmen. He said he left his room, which is on the second floor, just before the shelter-in-place was announced.

“I actually left earlier than I usually leave,” he said. “If I hadn’t left my room a few minutes earlier I would be stuck in my room right now. Anyone still on the second floor can’t leave their room.”