Officer killed, dead gunman identified in shooting near Texas A&M campus

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KXAN) - A Brazos County constable and a male civilian were killed in College Station when a gunman, identified as Thomas Alton Caffall, 35, opened fire near the Texas A&M campus Monday. The gunman later died from wounds when officers returned fire.

The constable who was killed was identified as Brian Bachmann, 41. Officials said the 18-year law enforcement veteran died at the hospital.

"Constable Bachmann was a pillar of this community and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," McCollum said of the constable who leaves behind his wife, Donna, and their two children, Colby, 14, and 9-year-old Kaitlynn.

Police also said late Monday that the civilian killed was Chris Northcliffe, 43, of College Station.

College Station Assistant Police Chief Scott McCollum said a total of five people -- including Caffall -- were shot. The gunman was taken into custody before he died at the hospital, officials said. Officer Justin Oehlke was shot in the leg, underwent surgery, and was in stable condition Monday night.

Two other officers required medical attention. They were identified as officers Brad Smith and Phil Dorsett.

• Photos from College Station

Brazos County Chris Kirk said Bachmann was a good friend and a good man.

"I don't know anything about the investigation at this point except that Brian was doing his job and he was gunned down for doing it," the sheriff said. "Tragic tragic situation, and we're just devastated."

The incident unfolded starting at about 12:15 p.m. not far from Kyle Field, home of the Texas Aggies football team. Several officers were called in and exchanged fire with with a man who was said to be barricaded inside a home, McCollum said.

A woman, 55, was shot and was undergoing surgery. Late Monday officials said she is in critical condition. Her name was not released.

McCollum said that it appeared that Bachmann was shot as he approached the gunman's house to serve an eviction notice. Calls from 911 came to the College Station Police Department and several officers were dispatched, he said.

"When our officers arrived on the scene, they took fire," McCollum said.

Linda Weaver, Tres Caffall's mom, released a statement Monday evening:

The reports of the shootings came in from the university's campus alert system.

"Avoid Area," the university said in an alert at 12:30 p.m. " CSPD reports an active shooter in the area immediately southeast of the intersection of Welborn Rd and George Bush Drive. Please avoid the area. Residents in the immediate area need to remain inside their residence."

A&M spokeswoman Sherylon Carroll told the Associated Press that most students were not on campus Monday. The fall semester does not begin until August 27.

"It appeared to be fairly quiet," Carroll said of campus. "It didn't appear to be a lot of people out and about at that particular time."

A&M President R. Bowen Lofton called it a “a sad day in the Bryan-College Station community."

"We are deeply saddened to learn about the deaths of three individuals, including a law enforcement officer," he said. "My thoughts and prayers, as well I am sure of the entire Aggie community, go out to the families and close friends of those who died so tragically, those who were injured and anyone else personally impacted by this senseless act of violence.

"All of us at Texas A&M will do whatever we can today and in the coming days to serve in any way possible to ease the pain, tensions and concerns of all affected.”

Gov. Rick Perry, who graduated from A&M, said his "prayers are with any of those that have been injured."

A prayer service will take place at 7:00 p.m. Monday at the Christ United Methodist Church in College Station for Bachmann.