UPDATE: According to a Lampasas PD Facebook post update, Nathan Samuel Diederich, the suspected 20-year-old shooter, of Lampasas, was arrested the day after the crime on Aug. 25 after a "Lengthy negotiation at a residence in Lampasas County." He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.
A 24-year-old Lampasas male received a single gunshot wound to the neck in a Sunday afternoon conflict on North Ridge Street.
Chief of Police Jody Cummings told the Dispatch Record officers and investigators were searching for the 20-year-old male suspect, Nathan Samuel Diederich, as of Monday morning. Authorities believe the individual does not pose a threat to the public.
“They are all out knocking on some doors this morning talking to some people to learn where he might be,” Cummings said on Monday.
Lampasas Police Department received a call at 4:35 p.m. Sunday about a shooting at 408 N. Ridge St. Officers arrived on the scene and immediately commenced life-saving measures on the 24-year-old, who had a bullet go in and out of his neck. Witnesses helped identify the suspect who had fled the scene before the officers’ arrival. Cummings said the pair are acquaintances, not blood related.
The wounded male was transported to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple by Hamilton EMS.
“We received information last night that he was still with us and was in the care of Scott & White Hospital, and they were optimistic [for recovery,]” Cummings said.
The police chief was unable to confirm if alcohol or drugs played a part in the altercation. However, the homeowner where the shooting took place 61-year-old Kenneth Alan Cornwell -- was arrested Sunday evening on charges of possession of a controlled substance penalty group 1, and possession of a firearm by a felon. LPD officials said Cornwell played no role in the shooting events.
“He is not the suspect, and we don’t suspect him to have been directly involved in the shooting, but upon responding, there were some other things that were noticed,” Cummings said. “We did acquire a search warrant for the house, which led to the controlled substance and firearm [charges]. Him being the homeowner, he was arrested for those offenses.”
As of the Dispatch Record’s Monday press deadline, efforts were ongoing to locate the alleged shooter.
