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Texas DPS Swat stands by as Lampasas Police tape a perimeter around the incidence scene.
Lampasas-area law enforcement confirmed that a shooting on Cameron Drive Thursday morning ended with the death of the shooter. Officials on scene confirmed the shooter as former Lampasas sheriff Gordon Earl Morris.
LPD Patrol Lt. Chuck Montgomery said at 10:41 a.m. Thursday, officials responded to a third-party call reporting a woman at 2 Cameron Dr. had been shot by her husband.
“When officers arrived, they did locate a female, adult victim,” Montgomery said. “She was located in a neighbor’s yard.”
The woman was transported by Hamilton EMS to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple.
The victim is believed to the wife of 76-year-old Gordon Morris.
“At that time, we believed the shooter to be inside the residence, and we treated the scene like a barricaded shooter,” Montgomery said.
LPD, Lampasas County Sheriff's Department officers, Lampasas Animal Control officers and Texas DPS officers attempted to make contact with Morris inside the residence.
At 1:30 p.m., officials announced road closures on social media, including West First Street from Porter to Steele; Steele Street from West First to Matthews; Cameron Drive; and Bigham Street.
Reporters on the scene at 1:41 p.m. confirmed the presence of a State Police tactical unit and a DPS crisis negotiator.
At 1:45 p.m., officers shouted “Come out with your hands up” several times to an individual believed to be inside the home.
A little over 10 minutes later at 1:56 p.m., a fully armored tactical unit emerged from the home.
“Texas DPS sent a SWAT team up here,” Montgomery said. “They did make entry and confirmed the male subject was deceased.”
Officers said the shooter was found with a bullet wound in his stomach.
At 2:04 p.m., DPS officials cleared the scene. LPD investigators were assessing the scene as of 2:40 p.m. Thursday, Montgomery said.
“We believe this to be an isolated incident and that no citizens are in any danger,” he added.
Neighbor Michelle Davis witnessed some of the event.
“I just caught the beginning of it, when the riot truck showed up,” she said.
Davis said the woman was shot four times and escaped. Neighbors were able to help call 911 to get her help before she was evacuated by an EMS unit.
Law enforcement officers on the scene confirmed the shooter was former sheriff Gordon Morris and his wife was the victim.
GORDON MORRIS
After serving as a Lampasas County sheriff’s deputy from 1975 to 1978, and then a justice of the peace, Morris became Lampasas County sheriff in 1980 to complete the unexpired term of a previous sheriff.
He retired from the sheriff’s position in 2008 after a 35-year career in law enforcement and was issued an official congratulations by the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas Legislature.
“This respected professional went on to serve seven terms as the Lampasas County sheriff; voters repeatedly returned him to office over the course of nearly three decades, which is a testament to the high regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens,” the recognition read.
Morris also received the Outstanding Service Recognition award from Lampasas County Justice Court in 1982, according to Prabook, a World Biographical Encyclopedia, Inc. website.