EDEN, Texas (NewsNation Now) — Two sheriff’s deputies are dead after a dog complaint led to a shootout in West Texas Monday evening, authorities said.
NewsNation affiliate KLST reported that Jeffrey Nicholas was involved in a standoff at a building in Eden where he barricaded himself inside.
Texas Rangers said Concho County deputies arrived at an Eden home on the 100 block of Bryan Street to respond to a dog complaint around 8:30 p.m. Monday. According to the statement, “an altercation occurred which quickly escalated to gunfire.”
Police say the standoff ended in gunshots, killing two Concho County deputies and injuring an Eden city employee. The employee is now being treated at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo.
KLST previously reported Nicholas barricaded himself inside after a reported brief car chase. Rangers did not mention the chase in a brief release Tuesday.
Nicholas, 28, was booked into the Tom Green County Jail on two counts of capital murder Tuesday. Bonds totaling $2 million each have been set for each of Nicolas’ capital murder charges.
The identities of the officers and additional victim have not been disclosed at this time.
The Lubbock Police Department said in a statement that it was “heartbroken” to learn of the deaths and that its officers would escort the deputies’ bodies to a forensics lab in Lubbock later Tuesday.
Eden, which is home to about 1,300 people, is roughly 210 miles southwest of Dallas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said on Twitter that “our hearts go out” to the family and friends of the two deputies, who were killed Monday night.
“This terrible loss is a solemn reminder of the risks our brave law enforcement officers face while protecting our communities,” Abbott said.
This story is developing. Refresh for updates.
NewsNation affiliates KLST, KXAN and the Associated Press contributed to this report.