DALLAS — Armed with a pistol and rifle, a 28-year-old man killed Amber Tsai and Collin Davis in an ambush at a Haltom City home Saturday evening.
Edward Freyman then fired at several police officers who responded to the shooting call in the 5700 block of Diamond Oaks Drive just south of Interstate 820, wounding three of them, Haltom City police said at a news conference Sunday. After a brief manhunt, Freyman was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound a short distance away.
An elderly woman was also shot but is expected survive, police said.
Detective Matt Spillane, a Haltom City police spokesman, said Freyman was “associated” with one of the people shot, but did not say who or how.
While information about Davis was limited Monday morning, Tsai was described as a kind, smart and spunky woman who made everyone around her feel safe. A family member said Tsai and Davis were “great friends.”
Here’s what we know so far.
Amber Tsai
Amber Tsai, 32, grew up in Queens County, New York, and graduated with a Master of Arts from Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, New York, according to her social media profiles.
She was a senior admissions adviser at ThriveDX, a cybersecurity and digital skills trade school based in Miami, according to her LinkedIn. She started working for the company in November 2020.
Neighbors said Tsai lived in the home where the shooting took place, and described her as a quiet and nice woman who kept to herself.
“I can’t find the words you deserve,” one of her friends, Amanda Cree, wrote on Facebook. “You will always be an infectiously joyous spirit. Your charisma, extroversion, spunk and eagerness to make everyone around you feel safe, welcomed and included. I love you Amber Tsai and this planet lost one of the best humans.”
Her sister, Abigail Tsai, started a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses Monday. It has garnered more than $12,000 of its $15,000 goal in less than a day.
“Words cannot describe the pain and loss we feel,” the fundraiser said. “We will miss you so much every day.”
Abigail Tsai told The Dallas Morning News in an email that while she did not know Davis, she knew “him and Amber were great friends.”
“I want others to know Amber was so kind, smart, and loved by so many,” Abigail Tsai said. “She literally made friends everywhere she went because she just got along with everyone.”
3 wounded officers
The wounded officers, each shot multiple times, were identified as Officer Jose Avila, Officer Tim Barton and Cpl. Zach Tabler.
Haltom police said Tabler has served the department for seven years, Barton for six and Avila for five.
Tabler, who was struck in a leg, arm and hand, and Vela, who was struck in both legs, remained hospitalized Monday. Barton, who was treated for a leg injury, was released from the hospital Sunday morning.
In a Facebook post Sunday, the Haltom City Police Department said they wanted to thank “our wonderful residents for the thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes for our injured officers,” adding they extend their sympathies and condolences to the victims.
———
