DUNCANVILLE, Texas — Authorities in Duncanville continue to investigate what led up to the shooting on Monday morning . Wednesday, we’re learning more about the timeline of when officers arrived, and how they reacted. And the suspect’s family tells WFAA, that their loved one never meant any harm.
“I’m so happy that they responded to that situation in two minutes,” said Natasha Dowden, of Duncanville. That sentiment has been echoed throughout Duncanville. “We should be so proud of our police,” said Dowden.
At 8:43 a. m. Monday morning, Duncanville police got a 911 call for an active shooter.
By 8:45 a. m. , officers stormed the fieldhouse.
“Time is your number one enemy in an active shooter incident,” said Robert Brown. The former Duncanville police chief, and now assistant city manager says, last week, Duncanville police did an active shooter training drill. “It was an opportunity for our police department to work closely with our civilian employees,” said Brown.
Immediately, the call for an active shooter at the fieldhouse hit officers’ radios in Duncanville and surrounding Cedar Hill and Desoto police. “You want the first officer to enter the building and confront the attacker,” said Brown. While moving as quickly as possible, listening to where the gunshots are coming from is key, Brown says.
“You’re looking for that individual who is a threat. Often times, that’s the gunshots that will lead you to that,” said Brown. On Monday morning, police say 42-year-old Brandon Keith Ned walked into the main lobby, had a conversation with a staff member and managed to shoot into a classroom packed with children.
RELATED: Child recalls moment shooter was inside Duncanville summer camp; parents crediting staff and police for keeping kids safe Moments later, police say, Ned ran toward the gym where there were kids. Then, police shot and killed him. As for where the investigation stands — Texas DPS says they’re still in the process of talking to employees from the fieldhouse, making sure all of the stories add up.
As of right now, they’re still working on a motive. Ned’s family tells WFAA, he was having a paranoid episode from being bipolar. Duncanville update: Brandon Ned’s brother tells me he was having a paranoid episode from being bipolar.
Brother: He went to the FieldHouse to talk with a friend so he can get some help. Police: he shot into a classroom. Soon after, Ned was killed by police.
@wfaa pic. twitter. com/wlpsDLHecm While the investigation continues, authorities say, the recent training may have saved lives.
“Police officers are human. Part of the training for officers is not only getting kids to safety, but staying calm. You rely on your training, you rely on your crew, and rely on each other,” said Brown.
Ned’s family sent the following statement to WFAA: “Thank you for letting people know the truth. My brother had no intentions of hurting anyone. He had a paranoid episode from being bipolar.
He reached out to talk with a friend (only a friendship nothing beyond that) and he got in the car with her to drop her children off at the Fieldhouse. They didn’t have any disagreements or arguments at all that morning. She went inside to drop her children off and had them to call the police because he needed help.
Him not knowing that she did this he only went inside to get her because he wanted to go. He had his gun on him but not to purposely or intentionally harm anyone. They said that a coach approached him, I don’t know if it was aggravating or not but he pulled out his gun.
He definitely didn’t pull it out to harm any children. They said that he shot in a classroom with children (we all have to wait on the camera footage for that). “.
From: wfaa
URL: https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/duncanville-police-detail-fieldhouse-shooting-family-of-gunman-says-he-was-having-mental-breakdown/287-d7128860-a21a-4944-b3cb-092ac43efc6d