Shooting suspect mum as Leander ISD school begins mourning death of popular coach

We have new information in the shooting death of a Leander ISD coach Saturday night. Larry Wayne Smith, 64, a nurse with Seton Health Care is charged with murder in the death of his neighbor, Adam Ladner. Ladner, 41, was a coach at Running Brushy Middle School.

Cedar Park Police Chief Sean Mannix confirmed Monday that nearly two full days after the shooting the suspect had still not spoken with police. Chief Mannix explained, "Mr. Smith has declined to make any statement to this point and we look forward to his version of events after consultation with his attorney."

But Smith did speak with police before the shooting, complaining about noise from his neighbor's house and asking them to come talk to him. And they did. “Mr. Ladner was contacted by patrol officers regarding it wasn't amplified music or anything like that but a complaint that they were talking too loudly and that type of thing," said Chief Mannix.

But what happened after police left gets a little fuzzy. Just eight minutes later, smith called them back. "Upon officers' arrival they found Adam Ladner in front of the residence with possible gunshot wounds,” said Chief Mannix adding, “Officers unsuccessfully engaged in life-saving measures and Mr. Ladner was pronounced deceased at 11:30 PM (Saturday, Jan. 26.)”

While police continue their investigation Coach Ladner's school is in mourning. Principal Jim Rose says, “It was a rough morning for sure. A lot of tears. A lot of hugs which speaks to Coach Ladner and his impact on the staff for sure."

Principal Rose says Running Brushy Middle School has the full backing of Leander ISD to help get their students through this tragedy. He adds that it's too early to talk about services, but he suggested that any memorials to the popular coach will likely originate with the students.