By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-908740.mp3
Dallas, TX – Investigators identify the son of Dallas Police Chief David Brown as the "shooter" in Sunday's gun battle at a Lancaster apartment complex that left three people dead. KERA's BJ Austin reports.
Lancaster Officer Craig Shaw was responding to a call of shots fired at the River Bend Apartments on Pleasant Run when he encountered the 27 year old son of the Dallas Police Chief, reportedly armed with a rifle and preparing to drive out of the complex. Sheriff Lupe Valdez says shots were exchanged. Both men were killed.
Valdez: It appears the shooter is going to be David O'Neill Brown Junior. Another male victim was found discovered dead at the scene, apparently from a shooting that occurred earlier.
That victim is identified by the Medical Examiner as 23 year of Jeremy McMillan. He was apparently pulling into the complex with his family when he was shot. The Sheriff says Brown is the "suspect" in the McMillan killing, too.
The Sheriff declined to provide other details or motive, saying the investigation is ongoing. But did say there were a number of weapons found in a search of Brown's apartment and car.
Lancaster Citizens on Patrol member Johnny Wiley knew Officer Shaw, and called him the "gentle giant."
Wiley: He was about six-five, all muscle. He had two kids. He always talked about he went to football, soccer games with his kids: loved his family. But he was so softspoken. He was such a nice guy.
Officer Shaw leaves a wife and two children. A fund for the family has been established at Chase Bank.
DeSoto Police Cpt Ron Smith worked with Officer Shaw on a special regional SWAT team. He grieves for his colleague, but says he also feels for Chief Brown.
Smith: I have empathy for the Dallas Police Chief. He lost a son. And you also know there is a police officer who lost his life, too. So, I'm sure he's feeling double emotion.
Through a Department spokesman, the Dallas Chief has requested privacy and prayers as his family "tries to comprehend the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident."