Tenant at Houston Apartment Kills Manager Over Eviction, Then Shoots Self

Neighbor Also Critically Wounded After Refusing to Control Noise From Apartment

By Adam Shrum

Copyright 2007 ApartmentWIZ

David Howard Thurm, 48, had failed to vacate his upscale apartment at The Post Oak at Woodway, before manager, Laura Schoellmann, 62, filed formal eviction proceedings against Thurm. 

According to the Houston Police Department, Thurm left his apartment armed with a steel blue revolver, headed for his neighbor’s apartment upstairs.  Thurm fired four rounds through the door of the apartment, critically wounding one man.  According to other neighbors, Thurm had filed numerous noise complaints against his neighbor.

After firing several shots into his neighbor’s apartment, Thurm set out for the complex management office, reloading his firearm as he walked.  Other residents who saw Thurm called the management office to warn staff. 

Mark Greiser, 47, a courier hired to serve eviction papers against Thurm, was with Schoellman when a man entered the office. 

“A man walked into the office, smiling.  I didn't know who it was, didn't think too much about it at that second, just went back to my paperwork.  I heard the shots and I looked at him, he shifted his gaze to me.  She [Schoellman] never said a word.  I was able to shove him and get away and then ran, zigzagging, down the room,” said Greiser.