2017 Plano Shooting
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Plano, Texas
TIME PERIOD
September 10, 2017
VICTIMS
9 confirmed
On September 10, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at 1712 West Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, Texas, during a Dallas Cowboys viewing party hosted by Meredith Lane. The shooter, 32-year-old Spencer Hight, opened fire with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a Kushnapup Series V shotgun, and a Ruger .380-caliber pistol, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including himself, and injuring one other. Hight, who had a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, targeted his ex-wife Meredith Lane amidst their ongoing divorce proceedings. The incident concluded with police arriving on the scene, where they fatally shot Hight after he refused to surrender. The investigation revealed that the victims were primarily friends and family, with two having participated in Hight and Lane's wedding.
Spencer Hight's motive for the mass shooting remains unclear, but there is speculation that his escalating personal issues, including job loss and impending divorce, contributed to his violent actions. Some believe that his history of domestic violence and alcohol abuse played a significant role in his mental state leading up to the incident. Additionally, the timing of the shooting shortly after his wife filed for divorce has led to theories that it may have been a retaliatory act against her and those close to her.
A Night of Tragedy: The 2017 Plano Shooting
A Gathering Turned Deadly
On a warm evening in Plano, Texas, September 10, 2017, a tragedy unfolded that would forever alter the lives of those involved and the community at large. What began as a peaceful gathering at 1712 West Spring Creek Parkway soon descended into chaos and terror, marking one of the deadliest shootings in the state's recent history. Spencer James Hight, a 32-year-old man with a troubled past, stormed into the home of his estranged wife, Meredith Lane, and unleashed a torrent of violence that left eight people dead and a ninth injured. The massacre ended only when police intervened, killing Hight in a shootout.
The Background: A Relationship Unravels
Spencer Hight and Meredith Lane's relationship began during their college years at the University of Texas at Dallas. Meredith, who had previously attended a school in Georgia, met Spencer, and the pair married in May 2011. By 2015, they had settled into their newly purchased home in Plano. However, the marriage was far from idyllic. According to Meredith's mother, there had been a violent incident where Spencer allegedly slammed Meredith's head against a wall. This incident, like many aspects of their deteriorating marriage, went unreported to authorities.
Spencer lost his contracting job at Texas Instruments around the time they purchased their home. By March 2017, the couple had separated, and in July, Meredith filed for divorce, citing "discord or conflict of personalities." Her mother later revealed that Meredith had endured years of Spencer's alleged physical abuse and alcoholism, despite her efforts to help him. Friends of Spencer confirmed his downward spiral into isolation and heavy drinking before the shooting.
The Shooting: A Night of Horror
The evening of September 10 was meant to be a joyous occasion. Meredith Lane hosted a Dallas Cowboys watch party for friends and coworkers. However, around 8 p.m., the night took a horrific turn when Spencer Hight arrived, armed and dangerous. He carried an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a Kushnapup Series V shotgun, and a Ruger .380-caliber pistol.
Plano police responded to reports of 30 to 40 shots fired at the house. Upon entering, they found a scene of devastation. Nine adults lay wounded by gunfire. Seven were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were rushed to a nearby hospital, where one succumbed to injuries. The victims, all in their twenties and thirties, included close friends who had once celebrated Spencer and Meredith's union. James Richard Dunlop, the best man, and Rion Christopher Morgan, a groomsman, were among those killed.
Plano Police Chief Greg W. Rushin remarked on the unprecedented scale of the tragedy, saying, "We've never had a shooting of this magnitude; never had this many victims."
The Aftermath: Seeking Answers
In the wake of the massacre, the community grappled with grief and sought solace. Ten days after the tragic event, the Junior League of Collin County organized a vigil to honor the victims. Spencer's family expressed profound sorrow and offered condolences, acknowledging the absence of any rational excuse for his actions.
Legal proceedings followed the tragedy. In April 2019, a bartender from Local Public House in Plano faced charges for serving Spencer alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated. Text messages revealed her concerns about his level of intoxication and the large knife he brandished at the bar. Despite the evidence, a grand jury declined to indict her in October 2019.
In a significant legal development in 2021, Carly Shockey, the sole survivor who was shot in the face, was awarded $85 million by a jury in a lawsuit against the bar that served Spencer Hight.
The Victims: Lives Cut Short
The lives lost in the Plano shooting were remembered as vibrant and full of promise:
- Meredith Hight, 27, the host of the party and Spencer's estranged wife
- Anthony Cross, 33
- Olivia Deffner, 24
- James Dunlop, 29
- Daryl Hawkins, 22
- Rion Morgan, 31
- Myah Bass, 28
- Caleb Edwards, 25
- Carly Shockey, 25, survived despite severe injuries
Conclusion
The 2017 Plano shooting remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of domestic violence and mental health struggles. As the community continues to heal, the memories of those lost endure, leaving an indelible mark on the heart of Texas.
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Spencer Hight kills eight people at a Dallas Cowboys watch party before being shot by police.
Police Respond
Officers are called to the scene after reports of gunfire and find nine adults with gunshot wounds.
Victims Identified
Authorities confirm the identities of the victims, including the shooter’s ex-wife, Meredith Hight.
Investigation Continues
Police reveal that the shooter had a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
Bartender Charged
A bartender is charged for serving alcohol to Hight while knowing he was intoxicated before the shooting.
Grand Jury Decision
A grand jury declines to indict the bartender charged for serving Hight alcohol.
Lawsuit Verdict
A jury awards $85 million to the sole survivor of the shooting in a lawsuit against the bar that served Hight.
Vigil Held
A vigil is organized by the Junior League of Collin County for the victims of the shooting.
On September 10, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at 1712 West Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, Texas, during a Dallas Cowboys viewing party hosted by Meredith Lane. The shooter, 32-year-old Spencer Hight, opened fire with an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a Kushnapup Series V shotgun, and a Ruger .380-caliber pistol, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals, including himself, and injuring one other. Hight, who had a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence, targeted his ex-wife Meredith Lane amidst their ongoing divorce proceedings. The incident concluded with police arriving on the scene, where they fatally shot Hight after he refused to surrender. The investigation revealed that the victims were primarily friends and family, with two having participated in Hight and Lane's wedding.
Spencer Hight's motive for the mass shooting remains unclear, but there is speculation that his escalating personal issues, including job loss and impending divorce, contributed to his violent actions. Some believe that his history of domestic violence and alcohol abuse played a significant role in his mental state leading up to the incident. Additionally, the timing of the shooting shortly after his wife filed for divorce has led to theories that it may have been a retaliatory act against her and those close to her.
A Night of Tragedy: The 2017 Plano Shooting
A Gathering Turned Deadly
On a warm evening in Plano, Texas, September 10, 2017, a tragedy unfolded that would forever alter the lives of those involved and the community at large. What began as a peaceful gathering at 1712 West Spring Creek Parkway soon descended into chaos and terror, marking one of the deadliest shootings in the state's recent history. Spencer James Hight, a 32-year-old man with a troubled past, stormed into the home of his estranged wife, Meredith Lane, and unleashed a torrent of violence that left eight people dead and a ninth injured. The massacre ended only when police intervened, killing Hight in a shootout.
The Background: A Relationship Unravels
Spencer Hight and Meredith Lane's relationship began during their college years at the University of Texas at Dallas. Meredith, who had previously attended a school in Georgia, met Spencer, and the pair married in May 2011. By 2015, they had settled into their newly purchased home in Plano. However, the marriage was far from idyllic. According to Meredith's mother, there had been a violent incident where Spencer allegedly slammed Meredith's head against a wall. This incident, like many aspects of their deteriorating marriage, went unreported to authorities.
Spencer lost his contracting job at Texas Instruments around the time they purchased their home. By March 2017, the couple had separated, and in July, Meredith filed for divorce, citing "discord or conflict of personalities." Her mother later revealed that Meredith had endured years of Spencer's alleged physical abuse and alcoholism, despite her efforts to help him. Friends of Spencer confirmed his downward spiral into isolation and heavy drinking before the shooting.
The Shooting: A Night of Horror
The evening of September 10 was meant to be a joyous occasion. Meredith Lane hosted a Dallas Cowboys watch party for friends and coworkers. However, around 8 p.m., the night took a horrific turn when Spencer Hight arrived, armed and dangerous. He carried an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, a Kushnapup Series V shotgun, and a Ruger .380-caliber pistol.
Plano police responded to reports of 30 to 40 shots fired at the house. Upon entering, they found a scene of devastation. Nine adults lay wounded by gunfire. Seven were pronounced dead at the scene, and two were rushed to a nearby hospital, where one succumbed to injuries. The victims, all in their twenties and thirties, included close friends who had once celebrated Spencer and Meredith's union. James Richard Dunlop, the best man, and Rion Christopher Morgan, a groomsman, were among those killed.
Plano Police Chief Greg W. Rushin remarked on the unprecedented scale of the tragedy, saying, "We've never had a shooting of this magnitude; never had this many victims."
The Aftermath: Seeking Answers
In the wake of the massacre, the community grappled with grief and sought solace. Ten days after the tragic event, the Junior League of Collin County organized a vigil to honor the victims. Spencer's family expressed profound sorrow and offered condolences, acknowledging the absence of any rational excuse for his actions.
Legal proceedings followed the tragedy. In April 2019, a bartender from Local Public House in Plano faced charges for serving Spencer alcohol while he was visibly intoxicated. Text messages revealed her concerns about his level of intoxication and the large knife he brandished at the bar. Despite the evidence, a grand jury declined to indict her in October 2019.
In a significant legal development in 2021, Carly Shockey, the sole survivor who was shot in the face, was awarded $85 million by a jury in a lawsuit against the bar that served Spencer Hight.
The Victims: Lives Cut Short
The lives lost in the Plano shooting were remembered as vibrant and full of promise:
- Meredith Hight, 27, the host of the party and Spencer's estranged wife
- Anthony Cross, 33
- Olivia Deffner, 24
- James Dunlop, 29
- Daryl Hawkins, 22
- Rion Morgan, 31
- Myah Bass, 28
- Caleb Edwards, 25
- Carly Shockey, 25, survived despite severe injuries
Conclusion
The 2017 Plano shooting remains a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating impact of domestic violence and mental health struggles. As the community continues to heal, the memories of those lost endure, leaving an indelible mark on the heart of Texas.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Mass Shooting Occurs
Spencer Hight kills eight people at a Dallas Cowboys watch party before being shot by police.
Police Respond
Officers are called to the scene after reports of gunfire and find nine adults with gunshot wounds.
Victims Identified
Authorities confirm the identities of the victims, including the shooter’s ex-wife, Meredith Hight.
Investigation Continues
Police reveal that the shooter had a history of alcohol abuse and domestic violence.
Bartender Charged
A bartender is charged for serving alcohol to Hight while knowing he was intoxicated before the shooting.
Grand Jury Decision
A grand jury declines to indict the bartender charged for serving Hight alcohol.
Lawsuit Verdict
A jury awards $85 million to the sole survivor of the shooting in a lawsuit against the bar that served Hight.
Vigil Held
A vigil is organized by the Junior League of Collin County for the victims of the shooting.