WACO, TX — The FBI is investigating the military background and social media history of a 22-year-old man who is suspected of trying to shoot up a federal building in Dallas on Monday.
Authorities said Brian Isaack Clyde was shot and killed by federal officers before he got a chance to enter the Earle Cabell Federal Building. Witnesses said the gunman was wearing fatigues and his face was covered by a mask.
Capt. Raymond Bottenfield understands the difficult call police had to make. In 2013, he helped take down a man who opened fire on the Santa Monica College Campus, killing three people.
He said it was the quick response and bravery from nearby officers who helped keep the 300 people inside the federal building safe.
"They went out and did what they had to do immediately, without hesitation," Bottenfield said. "Their mindset was I'm not going to get killed, I'm not going to let my partners be killed and I'm sure not going to let any civilians get killed. Let's go out and stop him now. How it's going to end is his choice, but we're not going to let it go any further than this. It's done."
No officers or other citizens were injured in the shooting on the south side of the building, police said. One worker sustained a superficial injury when she was taking cover, US Attorney Erin Nealy Cox said.
An FBI official said the suspect had more than five 40-round magazines on him.
"The only reason they're carrying that much ammunition is because they want a body count," Bottenfield said. "Our shooting was carrying to the effect of 1,400 rounds. One of the things a lot of these shooters have looked for and they've done in their research is they want a higher body count than "X" incident, 'I want a higher count that Virginia Tech.'"
Over the last six years, Bottenfield has watched this type of event happen again and again.
He said there's "no way to regulate or legislate evil."
"Somebody who has the desire to hurt people will always find a way to do so," Bottenfield said.
Bottenfield said better access to mental health care may help, but he said police and citizens need to be ready for anything.
"Each time we do this and each time it happens, each time we train, we get a little big better," Bottenfield said. "We have the mindset that when this happens, I know what I'm going to do and I'm not going to let the bad guy go in there and take innocent life. It's not going to happen on my watch."
The Earle Cabell Federal Building will be open on Tuesday for employees but closed for business, according to a tweet from the FBI.
