Suspect In Texas A&M Commerce Double Homicide, Jacques Smith Charged In New Year's Eve Murder
DENTON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - The suspect in the deadly shooting of two sisters at Texas A&M University-Commerce this week, Jacques Smith, now faces a third count of capital murder added for the death of Steven W. Daniels Jr.
The 22-year-old father was shot during a robbery outside his Denton apartment on New Year's Eve.
Denton Police have charged two other men as well in connection to his death.
Jalin Hargrove, 23, and Earnest Rogers, 26, were taken into custody after Denton Police detectives found evidence at Smith's Rowlett home. Both men remain in the Denton City Jail. Their bond is set at $1 million each.
Smith's criminal history includes charges for several aggravated robberies, thefts and evading arrest incidents.
Multiple law enforcement agencies told CBS 11 News they're happy he's behind bars.
"They didn't just impact families in Denton, they didn't just impact families in Texas A&M commerce, they impacted families not just across those jurisdictions but beyond," said Denton police Chief Frank Dixon.
Smith is accused of killing sisters Deja, 19, and Abbaney Matts, 20, and injuring Abbaney's 2-year-old child at Pride Rock residence hall.
According to family members, Smith was Abbaney Matts' ex-boyfriend. Authorities were able to identify Smith as the suspect through surveillance video and tips from witnesses.
School officials said Deja Matts of Garland was a freshman at the university while Abbaney was not a student there.
It was later learned that Smith was arrested on Jan. 27 for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Dallas County.
An affidavit details the assault, saying Smith "broke a glass lamp over Abbaney's head, then threw a box fan at her." Afterward, the fight moved to the kitchen where Abbaney told police he "threw a television at her and body slammed her to the floor." Smith then hit her on the head with a metal frying pan several times, according to the affidavit.
Abbaney told police that Smith then grabbed a knife and told her "I'll kill you," while holding the knife above her.
He then fled in Abbaney's car. But police caught up with him and took him into custody.
Smith was released two days later on a $15,000 bond. An Emergency Protective Order was completed for Abbaney after the alleged assault; just one week before the double homicide.
Garland police said at the time of their department's arrest, Smith was not in violation of his probation for prior criminal incidents - there were no outstanding warrants. Smith was transferred to the Dallas County Jail and bonded out January 29. Then January on 31 his probation was revoked and a warrant for his arrest was issued.
Three days after that, the Texas A&M Commerce shooting happened.
Smith is currently at the Hunt County jail on a $2 million bond.
Anyone with any additional information related to the Steven Daniels case is encouraged to call Denton County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-388-TIPS or the Denton PD tip line at 940-349-TIPS.
