A suspect is behind bars after a pair of small-town Texas deputies were killed during a Monday night shootout.
Jeffrey Nicholas, 28, was charged with two counts of capital murder in connection to the incident. Deputies with the Concho County Sheriff’s Office were called to a dog complaint in Eden at about 8:40 p.m., the Texas Department of Public Safety told the Washington Examiner.
The confrontation escalated into a gunfight after police arrived. Witnesses at the scene recounted hearing 10 gunshots after law enforcement yelled, “Roll your window down and put up your hands.”
POLICE OFFICER SHOT RESPONDING TO AMBUSH SETUP ATTACK
A third victim, an Eden city employee, was reportedly shot in the stomach and rushed to a local hospital. Nicholas was said to have barricaded himself inside his home after a brief pursuit with officers, and the standoff lasted for about 30 minutes, according to KTXS.
“Two Concho County Deputies were killed in a shootout late Monday night in Eden, Texas,” Lago Vista Police Department wrote in a Facebook post. “Our prayers go out to thier [sic] family, and Concho County Sheriff’s Office.”
The Lubbock Police Department was tasked with transporting the bodies of the fallen deputies.
“The Lubbock Police Department is heartbroken at the loss of two Concho County Sheriff’s Deputies who were killed in the line of duty Monday evening,” the department wrote in a separate social media post.
“We appreciate your cooperation and ask you to lift up the families, both blood and blue, of these two heroes,” it continued.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The incident drew the attention of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who called the shootout a “solemn reminder” of the dangers police officers face.
“Our hearts go out to the family & friends of 2 Concho County Sheriff’s deputies who were killed in the line of duty last night,” he wrote. “This terrible loss is a solemn reminder of the risks our brave law enforcement officers face while protecting our communities.”
