Two sisters from Garland, Abbaney Matts, 20, and Deja Matts, 19, were killed Monday, Feb. 3 in a Pride Rock Residence Hall room at Texas A&M Commerce. Deja, who hoped to become a nurse, was a freshman at the university. Abbaney’s 2-year-old son was also shot and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The toddler was treated and released to the custody of family members.
Jacques Dshawn Smith, the 21-year-old ex-boyfriend of Abbaney, is in custody, charged with capital murder.
Smith had been released from jail on bond Jan. 29 after being arrested Jan. 27 for allegedly attacking Abbaney and threatening to kill her. According to the arrest affidavit, Smith broke a lamp over Abbaney’s head, threw a television at her, hit her on the head with a frying pan and body-slammed her. The document further says that Smith then threatened to kill her with a knife.
WFAA Channel 8 News reported today that Smith has now been charged with a second count of capital murder. They reported that investigators “found evidence that linked Smith to the Dec. 31 shooting of 22-year-old Steven Daniels.” Daniels died of a gunshot wound to the chest. According to the Denton Police Department, the evidence was found while investigators were searching a Rowlett home in connection with the A&M Commerce slayings.
Classes and events scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 4 and Wednesday, Feb. 5, were canceled and counselors are available for those who need help.
Texas A&M University-Commerce students and staff are still mourning the killing of two people and injury of 12 at an off-campus homecoming party. That shooter has not been found.