The Hill News

Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), who represents Austin, tweeted Tuesday in response to reports that a gunman had fired shots on the campus at the University of Texas campus there.

"Thoughts and prayers with UT Austin," Smith said, linking to a longer statement.

“My office has reached out to the University of Texas to offer support following this morning’s shooting," it read. "It appears that UT police and first responders acted quickly in the best interest of the students and are in the process of securing the campus. By using text messages, loudspeakers and online postings, the campus was able to quickly notify students of the emergency and caution them to stay indoors. The most important thing for Texans to do right now i! s to pray for the safety of the students on campus."

Reports late Tuesday morning said that the alleged gunman was dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and that the police were still searching for a second suspect.

Smith is the ranking member on the House Judiciary Committee.