Friends Baffled By Attorney's Shootout With Dallas Police
DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - The windows shattered by gunfire have been replaced at the Glass House apartments in Uptown Dallas, but those who knew Michael Schmidt well, are still trying to put together what happened.
North Texas attorney and a long time friend of Schmidt, Ted Lyon is one of many who are stumped by Schmidt's actions.
"Never have I ever thought anything like this would happen. This is out of character for him. I just wonder if he cracked under pressure, or what," Lyon said.
For more than 20 years, Schmidt worked for the law firm founded by his father, C.L. Mike Schmidt. His law partner, James Holmes, send the following statement to CBS 11.
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and law partner Michael Edward Schmidt. Michael had an enormous heart for his family, friends and clients. For decades, he represented the victims of wrongdoing in law courts across the country, achieving much success for his clients and for members of his firm. He was a warm, generous and loving person. He will be greatly missed by many. Those working at his law firm will continue to fight for the rights of victims of wrongdoing, just as Michael had done."
Dallas police have not publicly speculated on a motive.
Police say Schmidt had police called to his apartment Thursday morning, claiming a burglary. When officers got there, police say the 47-year-old began shooting at them. Police later learned, Schmidt's 11-year-old daughter was with him, unharmed and out of sight.
Ron Pinkston, President of the Dallas Police Association, says five shots were fired upon officers, before they fired back.
"This situation, we very easily could have lost a couple of officers, because they were hesitant about returning fire," said Pinkston.
Four Dallas Police officers are on administrative leave, pending the investigation, which is standard for police-involved shootings.
Al Ellis, another Dallas attorney who has known Schmidt and his father for decades, is equally stumped by what happened.
Ellis says, as a rule attorneys are prone to substance abuse problems and depression more than the general public. Yet Ellis says he saw Michael Schmidt over the holidays, and nothing seemed awry.
(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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