Waco KCEN-TV station meteorologist shot; manhunt under way for shooter
WACO, Texas -- A search is under way for a suspect who authorities say shot and wounded a meteorologist at KCEN-TV in Waco, Texas.
Station KWTX reports the shooter fired several times at the a male employee who was leaving the station. The victim made his way to his car.
Schools in the area are on lockdown as authorities search for the shooter.
KCEN, cited in KWTX's report, noted that officers had blocked off the parking lot and that several officers including a K-9 team searched and cleared the building. Also, employees were first told to gather in the front office as officers searched the building and then were told to remain in the building.
KCEN-TV said the employee shot was their morning meteorologist Patrick Crawford.
Crawford, a Waco native, graduated from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, his Facebook and Twitter profiles say. At NIU, Crawford received his degree in meteorology with a double minor in mathematics and geography.
D.L. Wilson with DPS said the suspect exchanged words with Crawford before he pulled a semi-automatic handgun and fired several times. Crawford managed to drive a short distance away and get help.
The gunman is described as a white male, in his mid-30s, wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and dark jeans.
Crawford was undergoing surgery at Scott and White Memorial Hospital in Temple, Texas, according to KCEN. His condition is unknown at this time, but the station quotes doctors as saying he is "very lucky" and is recovering.
Crawford has worked for the station for two years.
