2 killed in shootings on Dallas, Garland roads

[da Packer backer]

Apparently, this guy wasn't hugged enough as a kid....Remember to hug your kids this Christmas season :)

[stroo]

This is really a strange story. The guy lives in Keller but goes on a crime spree in Garland. He is a former Utah State trooper and sergeant and a Mormon. Has a wife and a couple of kids. But suddenly starts drinking, using drugs and is suicidal. Something doesn't add up here.

[seamusTX]

It's called going down the toilet, and it has happened millions of times.

Maybe he went to Keller hoping not to be traced. I don't know. I have never been in that area.

- Jim

[03Lightningrocks]

My prayer is that this guy gets everything that is coming to him.

[Wildscar]

Details On The Life Of Suspected Roadway Shooter

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Smith is a former Utah state trooper. He moved to Keller with his family nearly a year ago. Smith's wife is a stay-at-home mom. His children range in age from 11 months to 8-years-old.

Homes along the quiet cul-de-sac in Smith's neighborhood are brightly decorated for Christmas. But his house remains dark.

Neighbors say they saw a police car parked in front of his house Monday morning, but they had no idea that officers were trying to serve a warrant for his arrest.

Southlake police believe Smith had broken into a car and robbed someone in a retail parking lot on Southlake Boulevard within the last week.

Thad Baughman, one of Smith's neighbors, said he was "stunned" when he heard the news. "Couldn't believe it. Would never have thought of it."

Another neighbor, Tracie Gates, seemed to share Baughman's reaction. "Just unbelievable. He has five beautiful children," she said.

Neighbors say they saw no signs of the troubled life he may have been leading.

The Utah Department of Public Safety claims Smith had been abusing prescription medicine when he resigned last May after eight years as a state trooper.

Smith was also accused of driving while intoxicated while he was off duty.

Utah State Police say Smith tried to kill himself in his patrol car last January after consuming hard alcohol. But a bishop was able to successfully intervene.

Neighbors in Keller say that when Smith would attend barbecues, he would turn down beer and other alcohol, saying he didn't drink.

Neighbors also said Smith seemed happy with his new life in Texas, working at IBM in Valley Ranch.

"He had moved here by himself for a while and was waiting for his wife and children to come. It just seemed very normal... Just had a change of jobs really," said Gates. "His kids got here a couple of days later, and they would sit here on our stone lions and catch the frogs in the neighborhood and take them down to the pool. It was just a really nice family."

Those who knew Smith say their hearts go out to the victims of the shootings, to Smith's wife and to his five young children.

"It's got to be just heartbreaking, especially at Christmas time. It's a great neighborhood. I'm sure the neighborhood will rally around his wife and his kids," said Gates.

Neighbors say they have not seen anyone at Smith's house since Monday morning. But just five days ago, they say Smith and his family got dressed up and delivered Christmas cookies to friends in the neighborhood. At the time, they say he seemed fine.

[stroo]

Keller is a very nice suburb of Dallas west of DFW airport, i.e. between Dallas and Forth Worth. Garland is NE of Dallas probably 30-40 miles from Keller. Doesn't sound like his family was disintegrating. Sound like he just lost it. I still find it very strange.

[LarryH]

Sounds like "addiction to painkillers"

[bryang]

What a tragedy, I pray for his wife and five young children. I pray for all the families involved in this horrible mess and lost a love one.

-geo

[Wildscar]

I heard on the radio this morning that they have shut down 635 from Northwest Hwy to Plano road to look for more clues.It will be shut down till noon. Isn't that strange that they waited so long to do that. Specially after the weather and traffic that has occurred around there.