HOUSTON — The man accused of shooting and killing a Prairie View A&M University employee on Monday has been identified.
Devon Elliot Rhodes, 31, was arrested by PVAMU campus police shortly after Kendrick Walker was gunned down on campus. Rhodes is a former employee of the Governor Bill and Vara Daniel Farm and Ranch, where the victim worked.
Rhodes is being held on a $1 million bond, according to the Waller County District Attorney's Office.
Walker was shot multiple times but the motive is unclear.
After the shooting, an alert went out to students and staff urging everyone to stay inside. The campus was under a shelter-in-place for about three hours until the all-clear was given.
No students were injured, the university said.
“I was actually walking back from class and I saw all the police here and then you can hear them like telling him, 'Put your hands up, put your hands up!'" freshman Makayla Reeves said. "It’s definitely scary, especially because it’s early in the morning, people trying to get to class, walking in and out of the dorms."
In-person classes were canceled on Monday but resumed on Tuesday.
Message from PVAMU President
On Tuesday, PVAMU President Tomikia P. LeGrande released the following statement.
"Prairie View A&M University Family,
I reach out to you today with a heavy heart. As has been reported, shortly after 9 a.m. yesterday morning, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) employee, Kendrick Wilder, was shot and killed by a former employee.
Due to the swift response of the Prairie View A&M University Police Department, the shooter was quickly apprehended and is in custody. Our police department will continue to lead this active investigation.
I am devastated by the loss of life on the farm of our main campus, a place where we conduct the important work of teaching, research, and mentoring, and moreover, a place that is symbolic of our connection and concerted efforts to uplift and positively impact our community.
I visited with some of our staff at the farm this morning, who, despite yesterday’s tragedy, were in place to keep operations running smoothly. I have also spent the majority of today dialoguing with our faculty, staff, and students. Violent acts, such as this one, are far too commonplace in our society. While it is impossible to predict what can occur, we can, and we must do our best to be prepared. And it is our earnest desire for PVAMU to be a safe space for our students, faculty, and staff to learn, work and grow. Please know that we will work vigilantly to elevate the safety of the Prairie View A&M campus community by strengthening approaches for alerts and responses to impending danger. We will be engaging with the entire campus in ongoing efforts to do so.
Our hearts are with Kendrick’s family, those who are personally connected to him and all traumatized by this horrific act of violence. Please know that support is available to our students through University Counseling Services and our faculty and staff through the Employee Assistance Program.
More information regarding a celebration of Kendrick’s life will be forthcoming when plans are released by the family. Let’s all continue to pray for his family and our campus community as we prioritize the well-being and safety of our students, staff, and faculty. We stand together."