Inset: Christopher Reid Jr. (Henderson County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The Buc-ee’s in Ennis, Texas, that Christopher Reid Jr. allegedly crashed into after killing three people, cops say (WFAA).
In a tragic sequence of events in Texas, a man identified as Christopher Reid Jr., 29, opened fire on five individuals, resulting in three fatalities, before crashing his vehicle into a Buc-ee’s convenience store. This incident unfolded early Friday morning and culminated with Reid attempting to end his own life, according to reports from ABC affiliate WFAA.
The violence began at a residence in Mabank around 2:30 a.m., where Reid is accused of shooting five people, three of whom succumbed to their injuries. Following the shooting, Reid fled the scene in his 2003 Dodge Caravan, subsequently driving to a Buc-ee’s location in Ennis. Upon arrival, he crashed into the store, striking a woman inside and pinning her against a sales display before turning the gun on himself.
As of now, Reid remains hospitalized, and the authorities have not disclosed any motive behind these horrific acts. The tragic chain of events has left a community in shock, struggling to comprehend the senseless violence.
Among those killed were Kimberly Simpson, 51, Connie Patrick, 72, and Ronny Hammonds, 57. While the victims died from gunshot wounds, Hammonds also suffered from blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds, as confirmed by the police. The relationship between Reid and the victims is still under investigation, and it remains unclear whether familial ties played a role in the tragedy.
Echoing the chaos of that night, neighbor Cheryl Noble recounted the harrowing moment when one of the shooting victims appeared at her doorstep, pleading for help. “He came tapping on the door. Real loud,” Noble described. “He said, ‘Help me, I’ve been shot.’ He said his brother shot him.” The impact of the incident has left visible marks in the neighborhood, with bloodstains on Noble’s front door, deck, and steps.
Investigators have not confirmed whether Reid targeted family members, but they have identified the deceased as Kimberly Simpson, 51, Connie Patrick, 72, and Ronny Hammonds, 57. They each suffered gunshot wounds, while Hammonds was also a victim of blunt force trauma and multiple stab wounds, cops say.
Two others who were shot and hospitalized were identified as Colton Reid, 24, and Henry Hopgood, 70. Their conditions were unknown as of Sunday evening.
Police say Reid shot the group at a home located off Taso Drive in the Cedar Creek subdivision in Mabank before fleeing in the minivan. The woman he allegedly hit at Buc-ee’s is expected to survive after suffering non-life-threatening injuries.
Reid’s condition after shooting himself in the head was unclear as of midday Sunday, with officials saying he was hospitalized in critical condition. Police have not yet said what charges he will face if he survives.
