Ex-trooper's kin express sorrow

The family of the former Utah Highway Patrol trooper suspected in this week's deadly highway shootings in the Dallas area expressed sorrow Thursday to those whose loved ones were killed in the incidents.

A statement e-mailed to news media said Brian Smith's suspected involvement in the killings of two men and Smith's own death from a self-inflicted gunshot wound "have been devastating for our family."

"Our hearts are heavy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost a loved one in the incidents that may be related," the family said in a statement sent by Smith's father, Benton Smith, of Preston, Idaho.

Brian Smith, 37, was taken off life support about 6 p.m. Wednesday following a standoff with Garland, Texas, police Monday night that ended with Smith shooting himself.

Smith, who served as a UHP trooper for a dozen years, was wanted on warrants for burglary and robbery, and police said he also was a suspect in an OxyContin robbery in Garland on Monday night.

Dallas and Garland police have called Smith the main suspect in Dallas-area shootings during rush hour Monday.

Jorge Lopez, 20, was killed when a driver pulled alongside Lopez's Nissan at a red light and opened fire, police said. Shots were fired a few minutes later at an 18-wheeler, but the driver wasn't hurt.

Minutes later, William Scott Miller, 42, was shot and killed while driving a United Van Lines semitrailer. A few minutes after that, another driver was shot at and wounded, police said.

On Wednesday, Dallas police closed a chunk of Interstate 635 to investigate the shootings.

"It's hard to imagine that the Brian we knew could be involved in such acts," the family's statement read. "Brian was a loving and dedicated son, husband, father and friend. He will be missed."

Smith resigned from the UHP in May when the Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council revoked his certification for DUI, theft and prescription-drug abuse.

According to a POST investigative summary, Smith, who had been drinking, threatened suicide by holding his handgun to his chin while sitting in his UHP vehicle and speaking with his LDS Church bishop.

When Smith put the gun down, the bishop took it and called 911. Smith was taken to a local hospital for a psychological evaluation. He told POST investigators he also had stolen Demerol and Ambien from his father-in-law.

Smith later moved his wife and family of five to Texas, where he worked in sales for IBM.

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Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: jpage@desnews.com