The man who killed two people and wounded three police officers and an elderly woman in Haltom City on Saturday served in the Army and Texas Army National Guard, according to Army public affairs.
Edward Christian Freyman, 28, killed Collin Davis, 33, and Amber Tsai, 32, on Saturday evening, turned his gun on an elderly neighbor who called 911, and shot three police officers, authorities said.
He later killed himself about a half-mile from the original shooting scene. The older woman and police officers who were wounded are expected to survive.
Tsai lived at the home where the shooting started, according to property records.
Police said the gunman knew the victims but that the details of their relationship and the motive for the shooting are under investigation.
According to Army public affairs, Freyman was enlisted as an infantryman in the U.S. Army from October 2014 to October 2019 and attained the noncommissioned rank of sergeant. During his service, he was awarded medals and commendations including for good conduct, Army achievement and professional development as a noncommissioned officer.
Freyman joined the Texas Army National Guard in October 2019 after he left the Army, according to Army public affairs. He served as a sergeant infantryman until March 2021. The Texas Military Department did not immediately respond to a request for information on his service record Monday.
Army public affairs said Freyman never had any deployments with either the U.S. Army or Texas Army National Guard.
Freyman’s LinkedIn account says he attended Haltom High School and public records indicate he lived in far north Fort Worth.
He does not appear to have a criminal record in Tarrant County, according to court records.
GoFundMe set up for Tsai
Tsai “will always be remembered for her humble heart and for making friends everywhere she went,” her sister Abigail wrote on a GoFundMe page.
Tsai grew up in Queens County, New York, and graduated with a master’s in arts from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, according to LinkedIn and social media accounts.
Tsai was killed after Freyman took a handgun and rifle to the 5700 block of Diamond Oaks Drive North in Haltom City around 6:45 p.m. and began shooting, according to Haltom City police. She was found dead inside her home, police said. Davis was found in the driveway.
Tsai and Davis were “great friends,” her sister told the Dallas Morning News.
Donations to the GoFundMe will go to funeral expenses “and to honor Amber as we say our last goodbyes,” the GoFundMe page reads.
“Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel,” the fundraising post says. “We will miss you so much every day. We appreciate your support as we navigate through this heartbreaking time.”
The page had raised more than $16,000, exceeding its $15,000 goal as of Monday.
Abigail Tsai told the Dallas Morning News in an email that, “I want others to know Amber was so kind, smart, and loved by so many. She literally made friends everywhere she went because she just got along with everyone.”
Samira Esquina, a friend of Amber Tsai, said she was “a beautiful soul” who loved her dog Zelda, could always make anybody smile and worked hard to achieve her goals.
“She was kind, selfless and compassionate,” Esquina told the Star-Telegram in an email. “Always there to lend an ear or hug. … Amber was unconditional. She deserved better.”
“An entire community is devastated at hearing about Amber’s loss,” she added.
A friend of Amber’s, Amanda Cree, wrote in a public Facebook post: “I can’t find the words you deserve. I can say I love you and how deeply I will miss you. You will always be an infectiously joyous spirit. Your charisma, extroversion, spunk and eagerness to make everyone around you feel safe, welcomed and included. I love you Amber Tsai and this planet lost one of the best humans. My heart goes out to your family and the community we built is grieving heavily.”
Jay Zhang, a friend who said he attended high school with Amber, wrote in a Facebook post: “Her life was tragically taken all too soon. She was such a light in everyone’s lives, someone who had one of the most infectious laughs. She was KIND and NICE, when the world was CRUEL and UNFORGIVING. She made friends WHEREVER she went.”
According to property records, Tsai bought the home on Diamond Oaks Drive in Haltom City in December 2020. She started working for ThriveDX, a cybersecurity and digital skills trade school based out of Miami a month before she moved, according to her LinkedIn.
She was a senior admissions adviser at ThriveDX, according to LinkedIn.
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