Plano police have confirmed the name of the man they say killed his estranged wife and seven others during a Dallas Cowboys watch party as 32-year-old Spencer Hight.
Investigators said the gunman arrived at his former home Sunday at about 8 p.m., armed with multiple weapons. The man then went on a rampage, shooting nine people, seven fatally, inside the home and in the back yard, before being fatally shot by a Plano police officer.
One of the two people injured in the shooting later died at an area hospital. On Wednesday night, the family of the lone survivor released her name, Carly Shockey, and a statement about the shooting.
We would like to thank everyone for their concern and prayers for our loved one, Carly. Our hearts are heavy for the families affected by this senseless tragedy.
Carly is in stable, but serious condition. This is the beginning of a very long recovery journey for both Carly and our family. We ask that you please respect our privacy as we focus all of our family’s energy on helping Carly recover.
At this time, please join us in supporting all the families and friends who have been impacted, and honoring the memory of these young lives that were tragically taken away.
Investigators confirmed the identities of the eight victims as: 27-year-old Meredith Emily Hight, the estranged wife of the suspect; 33-year-old Anthony "Tony" Michael Cross; 24-year-old Olivia Nicole Deffner; 29-year-old James Richard Dunlop; 22-year-old Darryl William Hawkins; 31-year-old Rion Christopher Morgan; 28-year-old Myah Sade Bass and 25-year-old Caleb Seth Edwards.
"It's kind of like losing a child," said Kenda Grand, who walked up to a growing memorial on Tuesday with flowers in honor of Tony Cross. "My son said, 'He was my first friend and still is my best friend. He was an awesome guy. He was a great kid, very articulate. Everywhere we went, we took Tony.'"
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The family of Tony Cross released a statement to NBC 5:
"Times like this often serve as a reminder to live each day to its fullest and to always make time for the important people in your life, but that's just how Tony lived. He didn't need a reminder to pursue his passions or to spend time with the ones he loved. He lived and loved the way we all should."
Rion Morgan's aunt in the Houston area told NBC 5 that Morgan had been a groomsman in Hight's wedding.
"He was a kindhearted, good person," said Carol Greer. "He was very lovable to everybody. Everybody he met was his friend and stayed his friend."
Greer said Morgan was a UT-Dallas graduate and worked on campus. He loved to travel and loved his nieces.
"I just wish that everybody would just step back and take a look at themselves and learn how to love each other, because this world is beginning to get very sick," she said.
Friends of the victims talked with NBC 5 outside of the home, not far from where the victims' cars remained parked outside.
Zully Romo lifted her hand in prayer for her friend and co-worker, Darryl Hawkins.
She confirmed he was among the victims when she saw his BMW still parked by the house.
"Your hear it, but you don't believe it," Romo said. "And you still don't believe it, but you see his car there, and all you want to do is wrap yourself around it and see him walk up and say, 'Hey, let's go.'"
The parents of Meredith Hight told NBC 5 Monday that their daughter was getting a divorce and that she was hosting a football watch party at the couple's former home a day before what would have been their wedding anniversary.
A friend of Spencer Hight, who asked to remain anonymous, said he saw Spencer at a nearby bar before the shooting and that he seemed upset. No further details were shared.
The Dallas Morning News reports that those killed on Sunday night in Plano included the man who had stood by 32-year-old Spencer Hight when he said "I do" to Meredith Hight. Spencer Hight's father, Chester Hight, told the newspaper that that the family is living a "nightmare."
A motive for the shooting has not been confirmed.
Plano Police Officer David Tilley said during a news conference Monday that officers were called to a home on the 1700 block of West Spring Creek Parkway just after 8 p.m. after several people called 911 reporting active gunshots.
Plano Chief of Police Gregory Rushin said during a news conference Monday afternoon that the first officer arrived at the home within two minutes of being dispatched.
Rushin said the officer approached the home from the rear and heard gunshots inside as well as several shooting victims "down" in the back yard. Rushin said the officer then made the brave decision to enter the home without waiting for backup.
"The first thing he heard was shots being fired. He saw people in the back yard, down, that were shot. So he instantly knew what was going on. He went into the house on his own, made that decision that he couldn't wait for a backup from another partner, as we were trained, and go in and to stop the shooter. And that's exactly what he did, he actually found the shooter inside and ended his shooting spree," Rushin said. "This officer went directly into fire, where fire was taking place, and stopped the shooter's ability to continue to kill people. I think the officer showed great bravery."
Inside the home, officers found two survivors, both critically injured with apparent gunshot wounds, and the bodies of seven adults. At a news conference Monday afternoon, police said one of the two survivors died at the hospital, while the condition of the other was not known.
The investigation into the deaths of the eight victims is being handled by the Plano Police Department. The officer who fatally shot the suspected gunman is on administrative leave with pay and the shooting is being investigated by the Texas Rangers, which is normal in officer-involved shootings.
