Sisters dead in 'targeted, isolated' shooting at Texas A&M-Commerce dorm

The incident was reported Monday morning at the Pride Rock residence hall.

February 4, 2020, 6:08 PM

Two women who died in a shooting at a Texas A&M University-Commerce dorm on Monday were sisters, authorities said.

School officials said Tuesday that the "shooting appears to be a targeted, isolated event," though the officials did not provide many details.

The suspect, identified Tuesday night as 21-year-old Jacques Dshawn Smith, has been arrested and charged with capital murder in connection with the shooting, according to university officials.

The shooting was reported at 10:17 a.m. local time at the Pride Rock residence hall, which houses freshmen, according to the school's website.

Texas A&M University-Commerce said Smith is believed to be an ex-boyfriend of one of the victims. An arrest warrant was issued for him "through the use of surveillance and witness tips," the university's police department said Tuesday.

PHOTO: First responders respond after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
First responders respond after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
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PHOTO: A police officer tapes off a crime scene after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
A police officer tapes off a crime scene after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
WFAA

One victim, 19-year-old Deja Matts, was an A&M-Commerce freshman from Garland, Texas, and was pursuing a degree in public health, officials with the university police department said Tuesday.

The second victim was her sister, 20-year-old Abbaney Matts.

The elder Matts was not enrolled at A&M-Commerce, officials said.

Abbaney Matts' 2-year-old son was injured in the incident, university police officials said. He has since been treated and released to the care of family members, they said.

PHOTO: Police officers respond after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
Police officers respond after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
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University officials said the investigation remains active.

"Our hearts go out to everyone in the community who has been impacted by this tragedy," Mark Rudin, president of Texas A&M University-Commerce, said Monday.

Texas A&M's campus in Commerce, Texas, is more than 200 miles north of Texas A&M's main campus in College Station.

PHOTO: Police officers respond after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
Police officers respond after reports of a shooting at a residence hall at Texas A&M University's campus in Commerce, Texas, on Feb. 3, 2020.
WFAA