According to a Texas Tech University statement, campus police made a student welfare check last evening and, upon entering the room, found evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia.
Officers then took the suspect to the police station for a standard debriefing and to prepare to take him to the Lubbock County jail, Texas Tech police Chief Kyle Bonath said.
The suspect, identified by the university as Hollis Daniels, was tackled by officers in a parking lot adjacent to the coliseum.
It is not clear if Daniels had the gun on him when he was taken to the police station or if he took the weapon from an officer. Online jail records don't indicate whether he has an attorney to speak on his behalf.
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"The family of the officer is in the thoughts and prayers of the Texas Tech community," said Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also issued a statement about the shooting late yesterday, saying "hearts go out to the family of the police officer killed." Abbott also said he had mobilised state law enforcement resources to aid in the investigation.
Texas Tech is a public research university in the city of Lubbock.