Suspect Admits Shooting TCU Student Multiple Times, Police Say
FORT WORTH, Texas – A shocking act of violence occurred in Fort Worth’s Entertainment District, where a junior at Texas Christian University (TCU) became the victim of a seemingly random attack. Wes Smith was shot and killed in the early hours of Friday morning near the popular West 7th Street area.
According to the police, the suspect, 21-year-old Matthew Purdy, has admitted to shooting Smith three times and expressed his intention to harm more people if he had not run out of ammunition. Purdy was arrested on Friday in connection with the shooting.
The incident took place on Bledsoe Street when Purdy approached Smith, exchanged a few words, and then shot him three times – once in the stomach and once in the shoulder. Police report that Purdy then shot Smith in the back of the head, stating during his confession that he wanted to ensure Smith’s death.
After the shooting, Purdy fled the scene and assaulted a woman in an attempt to escape. He later confessed that if he still had ammunition, he would have shot her as well. Despite being searched by officers upon his arrest, Purdy managed to hide the gun in his pants and was caught with the weapon in his hands in the back of the police car. He tried to throw it out of the squad car.
Purdy has been charged with murder. Smith, a finance major and member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity at TCU, was also a walk-on player for the Horned Frogs football team during his freshman year.
The TCU community is devastated by this tragic loss. A spokesperson for the university expressed their grief, stating, “We are devastated by the tragic death of one of our students, junior Wes Smith from Germantown, Tennessee. He was a beloved member of our community, and we grieve with his family and friends.”
Smith’s former school, St. George’s Independent School in Memphis, Tennessee, also mourns his passing. Timothy Gibson, the head of school, described Smith as a compassionate and talented young man who excelled in sports and leadership roles.
The Smith family released a statement, describing Wes as an amazing and loving son, brother, cousin, and friend. They requested privacy during this difficult time.
St. George’s Independent School plans to honor Smith’s memory in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Purdy remains in custody at the Tarrant County jail on a $500,000 bond. At the time of the shooting, he was on probation for an aggravated robbery charge.
TCU has made counselors available to students on the 2nd floor of Jarvis Hall to provide support during this challenging period.
Original Story at www.fox4news.com – 2023-09-02 03:03:31
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