TEXAS - A student from Texas Tech University (TTU) was in police custody after he allegedly shot dead an officer at the university's police station late on Monday (Oct 9), media reports said.

The suspect, identified as Hollis Daniels, was brought to the police station after a welfare check when he suddenly shot and killed the officer before escaping, Fox News quoted officials as saying.

University spokesman Chris Cook told the student newspaper Daily Toreador that police had found "evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia" in the student's room. After he was taken to the police station, he pulled out a gun and shot one officer in the head, said the spokesman.

"A shooting has been reported at TTU Police Department. Shooter is at large. The campus is on lockdown. Take shelter," the university said in a Twitter message soon after the shooting took place.

The university lifted the lockdown after the suspect was caught, Fox News reported.