Man killed in shooting at Texas Tech had been accused of attempted murder in Holly Hill
Rhino Simboli, 63, was shot dead in the shootout in which two Texas Tech police officers were wounded, the Avalanche-Journal reported June 25.
The Texas Tech Police Officers were on routine patrol at about 12:45 a.m. June 24 when they noticed a suspicious vehicle on campus near the Jones AT&T stadium, according to the Avalanche-Journal.
When the officers approached, Simboli drew a gun and fired at them. The officers fired back, killing him.
The officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken by ambulance to University Medical Center, according to the Avalanche-Journal. One officer has since been released.
No further details were available.
Simboli was living on Catherine Avenue in Daytona Beach when he was arrested six years ago for a shooting in Holly Hill, according to records.
In that case, Simboli showed up at the home of Mark Vogenitz on Jasmine Avenue around 4:40 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2019, and knocked on the front door of the home's enclosed porch, according to a previous News-Journal story by Patricio G. Balona.
Simboli asked about a piece of mail. Vogenitz told Simboli he had the wrong address and to please leave. Vogenitz then closed the door, police said.
Simboli knocked on the door again. Vogenitz opened the door again. But this time Simboli had pulled out a pistol and was shouting "I know there are kids in there," a report shows.
Vogenitz and Simboli then struggled over the door until Vogenitz managed to close it. The two then struggled over the door handle. Simboli then fired two shots through the door at Vogenitz, police said.
Vogenitz hid in his backyard as he called 911. Simboli came into the backyard as Vogenitz was talking on the telephone with dispatchers, investigators said.
Simboli pointed the gun at Vogenitz's head and shouted "Don't move," a report stated. Vogenitz said Simboli "took an aggressive tactical stance."
Vogenitz later said "he thought his life was going to end."
At that moment, police arrived, drew their weapons and ordered Simboli to the ground.
Simboli would not say why he went to Vogenitz's home, investigators said.
But when he was arrested, Simboli uttered "I wish I blew his (expletive) head off. Why the (expletive) should I keep him alive," police wrote in their report.
The State Attorney's Office charged Simboli with burglary of a occupied dwelling with an assault while armed with a firearm. Adjudication was withheld on the charge, meaning he was not convicted. Prosecutors declined to charge him with attempted first-degree murder.
Simboli reached a plea agreement in the Holly Hill case in which he was placed in Veterans Court and placed on a minimum of 36 months of supervision. He was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and any recommended treatment. Simboli was also ordered to not live in Holly Hill.
He was ordered not to go within 500 feet of the victim's home or workplace, and was prohibited from having any firearms or weapons.
The court file also indicates Simboli underwent a psychiatric evaluation.
Simboli completed the terms of his supervision on Oct. 1, 2023, and supervision ended, according to court records in Volusia County.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Rhino Simboli, killed in Texas Tech police shootout, lived in Daytona

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