MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Bond for the man accused in a deadly shooting at a United States Postal Service facility in Missouri City earlier this week has been set at $2 million.
Derrick Deon Lott Jr. faces a murder charge related to the shooting that occurred Monday at the processing center on US 90.
The victim, 35-year-old Kevin J. Hines, was identified, though the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Both Lott Jr. and Hines were employees at the facility.
“This was a tragic and senseless act of violence,” said Mona Hernandez, Acting Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. “Our employees deserve to feel safe when they come to work. Postal inspectors are working tirelessly to ensure justice is served on behalf of Kevin Hines, his family, and all of the employees who work in this facility.”
Court records show that at the time of the shooting, Lott Jr. was out on bond for allegedly assaulting a peace officer earlier this year.
The Shooting
Court documents reveal the shooting took place around 10 p.m. Monday.
Employees were evacuated after the shot was fired, and it was reportedly communicated that the evacuation was due to an active shooter.
Investigators later determined that Hines had been shot in the back of the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.
An assistant USPS inspector with the Houston division emphasized that their top priority was ensuring no one else was harmed.
“That individual is in custody, and that community is safe,” said Assistant Inspector Dana Carter. “Part of our partnership with the Missouri City Police Department is not only conducting a thorough investigation but also making sure we protect the community at large, as well as our employees.”
Operations at the facility were shut down on Tuesday due to the shooting.