Dallas / Fort Worth Local News

Sana Syed Contributed To This Report
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― Brian Smith, 37, is the main suspect in Monday's deadly freeway shootings in Dallas.

Smith moved to Keller with his family nearly a year ago from Utah. Smith's wife is a stay-at-home mom. His children range in age from 11 months to 8-years-old.

The Utah Department of Public Safety says Smith worked as a trooper for 12 years until he resigned this past May. The department says one factor was his abuse of prescription drugs.

"If someone stops using it or has withdrawal from it, that can cause some significant psychological problems, but in and of itself, oxycodone is not going to cause a psychosis episode," said Dr. Jeff Phelps, a spine surgeon at North Hills Hospital.

Dr. Phelps says he will not prescribe oxycodone because its abuse potential is too high. It can also cause feelings of despair and depression for someone already having psychological issues.

Smith was also accused of driving while intoxicated while he was off duty.

Utah State Police say Smith tried to kill himself in his patrol car last January after consuming hard alcohol. But a bishop was able to successfully intervene.

Smith's neighbors in Keller say that when Smith would attend barbecues, he would turn down beer and other alcohol, saying he didn't drink.

Homes along the quiet cul-de-sac in Smith's neighborhood were brightly decorated for Christmas. But just a day before Christmas, his house remained dark.

Neighbors say they saw a police car parked in front of his house Monday morning, but they had no idea that officers were trying to serve a warrant for his arrest.

Southlake police said they are investigating Smith several crimes in the city, including an assault and robbery on December 17. In that assault, someone used a squirt gun to spray a substance in a woman's face. While she was blinded her purse was stolen.

Southlake police believe Smith also broke into a car and robbed someone in a retail parking lot on Southlake Boulevard within the last week.

Thad Baughman, one of Smith's neighbors, said he was "stunned" when he heard the news. "Couldn't believe it. Would never have thought of it."

Another neighbor, Tracie Gates, seemed to share Baughman's reaction. "Just unbelievable. He has five beautiful children," she said.

Neighbors say they saw no signs of the troubled life he may have been leading. Neighbors also said Smith seemed happy with his new life in Texas, working at IBM in Valley Ranch.

"He had moved here by himself for a while and was waiting for his wife and children to come. It just seemed very normal... Just had a change of jobs really," said Gates. "His kids got here a couple of days later, and they would sit here on our stone lions and catch the frogs in the neighborhood and take them down to the pool. It was just a really nice family."

Those who knew Smith say their hearts go out to the victims of the shootings, to Smith's wife and to his five young children.

"It's got to be just heartbreaking, especially at Christmas time. It's a great neighborhood. I'm sure the neighborhood will rally around his wife and his kids," said Gates.

Neighbors say they have not seen anyone at Smith's house since Monday morning. But just five days ago, they say Smith and his family got dressed up and delivered Christmas cookies to friends in the neighborhood. At the time, they say he seemed fine.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

CBS11TV.com Extra: Raw Police Chase Video

• RAW VIDEO: Dallas Co. Chase Ends w/Crash
• Dallas Constable Admits To Chase Error
• DPD Policy Questioned After 2nd Crash
• Woman Arrested After Long Police Chase
• Man Crashes While Running From Hurst PD
• Car Fleeing Robbery Kills 3 Kids In Pa.
• Dallas Co. Chase Ends In Crash, Arrest
• UNEDITED: Dallas Sheriff's Chase & Crash
• 4 In Custody After DPD Oak Cliff Chase
• RAW VIDEO: DPD Robbery Suspects Chase