LUBBOCK, Texas — On Monday night, Texas Tech Police officer Floyd East, Jr. was fatally shot by a student who had been brought into the police station when drugs and drug paraphernalia were found in the student’s dorm room.
The Lubbock community, including the Texas Tech football program, have rallied to support the fallen officer and his family, who are from El Paso. Before Tuesday’s weekly press conference, Texas Tech head football coach Kliff Kingsbury delivered poignant and timely remarks.
“I’d like to offer our condolences to the family of the fallen officer and the entire Texas Tech Police Department,” Kingsbury said. “We obviously work closely with those guys at Texas Tech PD and it’s a tough situation for everybody involved.”
Later on Tuesday evening, Texas Tech’s football stadium was lit up with blue lights in honor of officer East.
Jones AT&T Stadium lit up in blue to honor fallen officer https://t.co/JGHvaj7kjk pic.twitter.com/4aa0gmEHrl
— KCBD NewsChannel11 (@KCBD11) October 11, 2017
Honoring slain Texas Tech Police Officer Floyd East Jr. with blue lights & ribbon at Jones AT&T Stadium tonight. #RedRaiders pic.twitter.com/uLPyuryeti
— Eric (@AGuyFromMarfa) October 11, 2017
Jones AT&T Stadium on the campus of Texas Tech lit in blue to honor fallen Officer Floyd East.#TexasTech#BackTheBlue#Lubbock#Police#Tribute pic.twitter.com/5OTgjmeBrU
— Ruben Villarreal (@rubenv_11) October 11, 2017
On Wednesday, a petition was created on change.org for the Red Raiders’ Oct. 21 “Blue Out” game against Iowa State. Texas Tech has done a “White Out” game to celebrate the cotton industry in West Texas and a “Black Out” game to celebrate the oil and gas industry recently. Despite not being a school color, the petition asked all fans wear blue to the game to honor officer East.
The “Blue Out” petition has reached nearly 5,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning. You can add your name to the petition HERE.
The Texas Tech University System set up a memorial fund for Floyd East Jr. on Tuesday afternoon.
Donations can be given HERE.
A GoFundMe account for Floyd East’s wife and children was also established on Tuesday, and donations can be given HERE.
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