Meredith Lane Hight, a 27-year-old woman from Plano, Texas, tragically lost her life on September 10, 2017. She was hosting a football watch party at her home when her estranged husband, Spencer Hight, opened fire, killing her and seven of her friends. The incident occurred just before 8 p.m., during a gathering to watch the Dallas Cowboys game. Meredith had recently filed for divorce from Spencer, citing physical abuse and alcoholism as reasons for their separation.
Spencer Hight, who
was 32 years old at the time, had a history of alcohol abuse and had lost his job prior to the shooting. Witnesses reported that an argument broke out between Spencer and Meredith during the party, which led to the tragic shooting. Spencer used multiple weapons, including an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a Ruger .380-caliber pistol, to carry out the attack. He was eventually shot and killed by a responding police officer who arrived at the scene after hearing the gunshots.
The victims of the shooting included Meredith's friends, Tony Cross , Olivia Deffner , James Dunlop , Darryl Hawkins , Rion Morgan , Myah Bass , and Caleb Edwards . One of the victims survived the attack but later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The Plano Police Department confirmed that Spencer Hight was the sole perpetrator of the shooting.
Following the incident, the community organized a vigil to honor the victims, and the Junior League of Collin County held a memorial service ten days after the shooting. The case drew significant media attention due to the scale of the tragedy and the fact that it was the worst mass shooting in Plano's history.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Meredith's family and friends have spoken out about her character and the impact of her loss. Her mother, Debbie Lane, described Meredith as a loving and caring person who enjoyed hosting gatherings for her friends and family. The tragedy has left a lasting impact on the community and serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and gun violence.
