According to CNN, police are now treating the death of off-duty officer in Texas as homicide. Abilene Officer Don Allen, 27 years old, was found dead Monday inside his home in Yucca Drive in south Clyde. The investigators have not shared any details of the manner of death but they claim that it was clearly suspicious.
Police Chief Stan Standridge, the one who identified the deceased officer, told reporters, "The circumstances behind his death indicate that the probable cause is homicide. Aside from that, I'm not going to comment any further. ...I don't want to say anything today that would compromise our ability to hold these people accountable." He added further that the investigators have not yet identified the motive but they are tracking numerous leads to identify suspects. Standridge, who describes Allen as a "great man and great peace officer" who loved his job and always did it with a smile, said the victim was alone in his residence when family members found his body.
Days prior to this incident, Texas Deputy Darren Goforth was shot dead in Harris County. CNN says that these two cases have sparked assertions that "targeting of law enforcement officers could be on the rise."
On the other hand, Standridge has addressed that those assertions, saying, "The initial reaction was fear. Why was Officer Allen chosen? That speaks volumes as it relates to how vulnerable we are. ... We look like we're prepared for anything," he said. "But the reality is, we're just like you. We go to the same schools in this community. We attend the same churches. We eat at the same restaurants. We are just like you."
Currently, the Texas Rangers, with assistance from local police and the FBI, are leading the investigation. According to KTXS.com Clyde Police Chief Robert Dalton said his office contacted the Texas Rangers for assistance because of the circumstances surrounding Allen's death. Furthermore, Dalton has said that the victim's body has been transported to Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy.
