Eviction Notice Sparked Texas Shooting
The shooting at Texas A&M on Monday was a terrible incident but police at least know the motive of the shooter.
Thomas Alton Caffall III opened fire on Constable Brian Bachmann and several other police officers when they came to give him an eviction notice. The exchange of gunfire killed three people, including the shooter, and injured another four.
Even though officers were there to evict him that doesn't mean Caffall had done anything wrong yet, besides whatever prompted the eviction.
Caffall probably knew it was coming since he met the officers outside carrying his gun, reports MySanAntonio.com. That makes sense since the eviction notice is the last step in the process.
The landlord must first file a legal complaint which the tenant can respond to. If the landlord's claim is upheld in a court hearing, the judge will then issue a writ allowing the landlord to take possession of the premises.
But the catch is that the landlord can't be the one to physically force the tenant out of the building. In any successful eviction law enforcement officials must enforce the actual ruling.
Law enforcement officials are the one who can physically remove the now ex-resident from the premises after the writ is issued, although the tenant is given a few days to move out on their own. That is likely what was happening on Monday.
This eviction was anything but typical. While tenants may get upset and emotional during the process, it's not common for them to greet police while packing heat.
The shooting was just outside the Texas A&M campus but it was close enough to affect the community. The school sent out a safety alert Monday afternoon telling students to stay in their residences. One of the victims is also a parent of an A&M student.
Related Resources:
- Tenant Eviction: What You Should Know as a Renter (FindLaw)
- Tenants Sue Over Armed Foreclosure Evictions (FindLaw's Injured)
- Police Refuse to Evict Atlanta Woman, Age 103 (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)