Dallas ‘serial killer’ charged in murder of El Paso student at SMU

DALLAS, Texas -- Authorities in Dallas have arrested a man they call a "serial killer" who is believed responsible for four slayings, including a Southern Methodist University student from El Paso who was killed on Halloween.

Jeremy Harris, 31, was being held Friday in the Collin County jail in lieu of $3 million bail on four charges of murder.

Police said Harris' multi-week shooting spree victims included 19-year-old El Paso Coronado High School graduate Jaden Urreau, a Dallas man in his car at a stoplight, a homeless man and his former girlfriend’s father. 

"I believe this is the definition of a serial killer. It's random," Deputy Dallas Police Chief Reuben Ramirez told ABC affiliate WFAA.

He said Harris appeared to have acted alone, calling him a "lone shooter."

Urreau's family in El Paso reacted to the news with this statement to ABC-7 on Friday evening: "We are very pleased that Jaden's killer has been apprehended. Based upon our communications with the Homicide unit, they are confident that he is the individual responsible."

Investigators said they were also looking into possible ties between Harris and additional unsolved shootings in Dallas and other north Texas communities.

"We do suspect he may be responsible for other offenses. We're investigating those now but we don't want to reveal those just yet," said Assistant Dallas Police Chief Avery Moore.

Though Harris has a criminal history, he's not been accused of violent assaults or shootings previously, police said. It's unclear what prompted the shootings.

"It is extremely unusual for someone to just go on a shooting spree," Ramirez said.

Receipts found in Harris' home showed that he had recently purchased a Ruger 9mm handgun as well as a Taurus 9mm, according to arrest warrant affidavits.