Authorities confirmed Friday a barricaded suspect was responsible for a Thursday shooting that left two Lampasas women dead. The perpetrator of the double homicide had no prior connection with his victims, authorities said.
Lampasas Police Department identified the victims as Tobi Owens King, age 50, and her mother, Elaine Owens, age 82.
At 11: 51 p.m. on Thursday, Lampasas Police Department confirmed the suspect of the shooting, later identified as 56-year-old Charles Dougherty, had taken his own life. This statement from police came at the end of a standoff that lasted almost 10 hours, beginning Thursday afternoon.
“Law enforcement on scene have confirmed that the standoff has ended, and the suspect is deceased from a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound,” LPD said in a news statement. “This will be an active crime scene investigation for some time to come.”
In a statement issued Friday afternoon, LPD Chief Jody Cummings said the situation began Thursday at about 12:44 p.m., when police officers were dispatched to 901 West Avenue A in reference to a criminal trespass call.
“The homeowner reported to officers that an unknown white male was in their back yard and refused to leave,” Cummings said. “Officers made contact with the subject who was cooperative and agreed to leave and in addition was issued a criminal trespass warning at the homeowner’s request.”
At approximately 2:01 p.m., officers again were dispatched after a report of numerous gunshots heard in the northwest area of town.
“Upon arrival to the area, officers located a side door of 901 West Avenue A that had visible forced entry,” Cummings said.
Officers entered the home to conduct a welfare check and located King and Owens deceased inside the home from apparent gunshot wounds. King was found in the kitchen and Owens in a bedroom. Police said there were no signs of struggle.
As more officers arrived on the scene to assist, numerous gunshots were heard in the immediate area, Cummings said. Officers were able to confirm the gunshots originated from 203 N. Arnold St.
Law enforcement officers coordinated to set up a perimeter around the Arnold Street home and requested additional resources. Personnel from the Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol, Texas Rangers, Texas DPS Special Response Team, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Lampasas County Sheriff’s Department and State Parks Police all arrived to assist.
Sheriff Jess Ramos confirmed Thursday afternoon that his deputies were on the scene and officers had formed a secure perimeter. Residents of surrounding homes were evacuated.
Cummings confirmed at 5:20 p.m. Thursday that Dougherty had barricaded himself in his own home, and officers were attempting to make contact with him.
Cummings told the Dispatch Record that despite rumors that a suspect was on the loose, police knew him to be within his own residence.
“Texas DPS and SWAT are on scene trying to make contact,” the police chief said Thursday. “We have heard shots fired from inside his home. We’re in waiting mode.”
Through investigative means, a phone number for the resident of 203 N. Arnold was obtained, and Texas DPS hostage negotiators made attempts to contact the suspect, Cummings said in his statement.
“The subject refused to cooperate with law enforcement to surrender,” Cummings said, adding that a Texas DPS Special Response Team forced entry and located Dougherty inside the home deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The firearm used was a Smith & Wesson model M&P-15, caliber .223 rifle.
Texas Rangers conducted crime scene investigations at both 901 West Avenue A as well as 203 N. Arnold St. with assistance from the Lampasas Police Department, the chief said.
“Further investigation indicates that the deceased barricaded subject had no known prior contact with the victims of 901 West Avenue A before the date of this incident,” Cummings said. “However, it is known that the subject is the shooter and is responsible for the deaths of the two females located at 901 West Avenue A.”
The motive for the shootings is still unknown.
“During the first/initial call, the suspect mentioned to the officers something to the effect that they [officers] needed to check on the dogs, indicating vaguely he had some concerns. No reason for concern was noted. There’s no information to indicate there was ever a ‘dispute,’ ” the chief said.
He added that there is no indication of alcohol or narcotics being a factor in the incident.
Autopsies for the deceased were ordered by Justice of the Peace Misti Wakeman.
First State Bank of Burnet in Lampasas officials have set up an account for donations for the family members of the victims. Donations can be made by checks payable to Ray or Morgan Milloway with the memo “For the Michael King family.”
Cash donations also can be made directly at the bank at 800 S. Key Ave.