A Texas security guard has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder following the tragic shooting of 32-year-old Day’shaun Colen at a hookah lounge early Sunday morning, police confirmed.
Teddy Lee Mills, the accused, is alleged to have shot Colen shortly after 2 a.m. at the Bravo Hookah Lounge in Abilene, where Mills was performing security duties while Colen sought entry as a patron. This incident unfolded at a time when the venue had already reached its maximum capacity of 160 guests, leading to heightened tensions.
Mills was taken into custody on Wednesday and is currently detained at the Taylor County Jail, with his bond set at $250,000. As of Thursday, no attorney has been publicly identified to represent him.
According to a complaint acquired by NBC News, Abilene police were called to respond to reports of an injured individual just after 3 a.m. Sunday, at the hookah lounge situated approximately 150 miles west of Fort Worth. Upon their arrival, they discovered that Colen had already been transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead due to his injuries. Two relatives of Colen, along with the lounge’s building manager, recounted separately that it was Colen’s friends who rushed him to the hospital following the shooting.
Mills and several witnesses recounted to law enforcement that the shooting occurred after a group of individuals attempted to force their way past the entrance of the lounge. J.R. Rounsaville, the building manager, explained in a Wednesday evening interview that the venue had reached its capacity. He confirmed that the confrontation escalated when Colen and others tried to push their way into the already packed establishment.
During the chaotic incident, Mills, armed with a firearm, was stationed at the entrance alongside another unarmed security guard. According to the complaint, when the crowd surged toward the door, Mills discharged his weapon, striking Colen twice.
Mills reported to the police that Colen had been “getting mouthy” and allegedly threatened him. He stated that as people continued to push, they ignored security instructions to step back, and the crowd became confrontational, asserting that he could not close the door. Mills claimed that he felt “them” tugging on his Taser and described a moment of panic where he reached for his firearm while attempting to manage the advancing crowd. Ultimately, Mills chose not to provide any further statements without legal representation.
A witness, who spoke to NBC News, detailed that he intervened in the dispute between Colen and Mills, attempting to calm the situation. He expressed to police that he wrapped his arm around Colen, but the crowd’s force propelled them both forward into the path of Mills, who then fired his weapon. The witness insisted that Colen was not attempting to break into the venue.
Rounsaville, who owns the Bravo Hookah Lounge along with his parents, promptly provided police with surveillance footage hours after the incident. However, he refrained from sharing any video with media representatives, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Apex Tactical Security, the company responsible for security at the lounge, confirmed Mills’ employment when contacted but opted not to offer additional comments regarding the incident or his tenure with them. As of Thursday morning, Mills’ profile, highlighting his extensive background which includes a decade in the Army, three years with the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, and nine years with an Indiana sheriff’s department, remained accessible on the company’s website.
In the wake of this incident, Colen’s family revealed the emotional toll it has taken on them. His cousin, Charles Reynolds, indicated that Colen had recently been navigating the grief of losing his mother in August, while another cousin, Lawrence Glover, described Colen as an affectionate father to three daughters. Reynolds emphasized the close bond he shared with Colen and voiced regret over their last conversation, in which they made future plans to visit.
Both Reynolds and Glover expressed frustration concerning the lag time in Mills’ arrest, particularly since they believe video evidence of the shooting existed from the outset. They speculated that Mills’ past as a law enforcement officer may have contributed to the delay in taking action. Police have yet to respond to inquiries regarding these family assertions.
**Interview with J.R. Rounsaville, Building Manager of Bravo Hookah Lounge**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, J.R. Can you tell us more about the incident that took place at Bravo Hookah Lounge early Sunday morning?
**J.R. Rounsaville:** Thank you for having me. It was truly a tragic situation. Around 2 a.m., we were at maximum capacity, which is 160 guests. Tensions were high at the entrance as some individuals, including Day’shaun Colen, attempted to force their way in despite being turned away. Unfortunately, that’s when things escalated.
**Editor:** You mentioned that there were multiple witnesses. What did they say regarding the moments leading up to the shooting?
**J.R. Rounsaville:** Several witnesses described a chaotic scene. Colen and his friends were frustrated and tried to push in. The security guard, Teddy Mills, was understandably trying to maintain order, but the crowd became confrontational. I attempted to defuse the situation, but once the crowd started surging, it became impossible to control.
**Editor:** Can you describe how Mills handled the situation at the entrance?
**J.R. Rounsaville:** Mills was in a tough spot. He was armed and alongside another security guard who wasn’t armed. When the crowd pushed forward despite instructions to step back, Mills discharged his weapon. It all happened in a matter of seconds, and it was horrifying to witness.
**Editor:** After the shooting occurred, what actions were taken by the staff and patrons?
**J.R. Rounsaville:** The immediate action was to call for medical assistance. Colen was quickly taken to the hospital by his friends. Sadly, it was too late, and he was pronounced dead upon arrival. Our priority was to ensure everyone else was safe and to contain the chaos that had erupted.
**Editor:** How has this incident impacted the lounge and the community?
**J.R. Rounsaville:** It has deeply affected everyone—the staff, the patrons, and the community. We never wanted a night like this to happen. The emotional toll is immense, and we are all mourning the loss of Day’shaun Colen.
**Editor:** Lastly, what do you hope will happen moving forward in terms of security at venues like yours?
**J.R. Rounsaville:** I believe this incident highlights the need for better crowd management and communication strategies at venues. We must work to prevent situations like this from occurring again. I hope everyone involved can find healing, and we can have an open dialogue about safety in nightlife settings.
**Editor:** Thank you, J.R., for sharing your insights and experiences from that night. We appreciate your time during such a difficult period.
**J.R. Rounsaville:** Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue.
