Gunman called snipers ‘inspirational’
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — On his Facebook page, Thomas Caffall III posted a list of “inspirational people.” One was Carlos Hathcock, one of the most famous snipers in the U. S. Marine Corps who recorded 93 confirmed kills during the Vietnam War. Another was Vasily Zaytsev, a Russian sniper during World War II who was known for his skills with the MosinNagant rifle.
On Monday afternoon, Caffall, 35, became a deadly sniper himself, shooting law enforcement officers and innocent bystanders in a quiet neighborhood near Texas A&M Univer- sity where he rented a home.
Authorit ies said Caffall killed Brian Bachmann, 41, a local c on s t a bl e who was serving him with an eviction notice, and Chris Northcliffe, 51. Four other people were wounded, three College Station police officers and a 51-year-old woman, before Caffall was shot and killed by the police. Police officials said Tuesday that it was too early in their investigation to determine Caffall’s motive.
A few minutes after noon Monday, Bachmann, a Brazos County constable, went to the house where Caffall lived to serve him the eviction notice. Caffall owed his landlord $1,250, two months’ rent, but was not being forced out that afternoon.
Caffall shot the constable in the front yard, authorities said, and neighbors called 911 upon hearing gunshots.
Caffall began shooting at others in the neighborhood and at College Station police officers arriving at the scene, officials said. A woman who was wounded was shot while inside her car several hundred yards away and was in serious condition. The other victim, Northcliffe, had been driving in the area and stopped to ask someone on the street what was happening when he was shot and killed while outside his vehicle, the authorities said.
Caffall’s relatives have told reporters that he was a disturbed young man who had mental problems and that he quit his job several months ago.
“We’re just so sorry for this tragedy, and we feel for the families that are all involved,” said Caffall’s sister, Courtney Graham Clark, who also lives in College Station. “We’re still in shock.”