- Four students were injured in a shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School, three of them by gunfire.
- The suspect has been identified and is now in custody.
- The incident has reignited concerns about school security, as it marks the second shooting at the school in just over a year.
- School officials confirm the weapon was not brought in during standard security screening.
- Classes are canceled for the rest of the week, and mental health services are being provided.
A shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School on Tuesday afternoon left four students injured, marking the second gun-related incident on the campus in just over a year. Authorities confirmed three students were wounded by gunfire, while a fourth sustained a non-gunshot injury.
All victims were male, between the ages of 15 and 18, and were hospitalized with injuries ranging from serious to non-life-threatening.
The incident unfolded shortly after 1 p.m., prompting an immediate lockdown of the campus and nearby elementary school. Law enforcement from multiple agencies, including the Dallas Police Department and ATF, responded to the scene.
Aerial footage showed students evacuating the school grounds and regrouping at the school’s stadium, which was used as a reunification point for families.
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Questions Raised Over School Security
Dallas Independent School District (DISD) officials later confirmed that the suspect had been apprehended and taken to Dallas County Jail. While the gunman’s identity has not been disclosed, district police stated that the weapon did not enter the building during the morning intake when students pass through metal detectors.
Assistant Police Chief Christina Smith emphasized, “It was not a failure of our staff, of our protocols, or of the machinery that we have.”
Still, the shooting raised serious concerns among students, parents, and local leaders. Representative Jasmine Crockett, Democrat of Texas, called the incident “heartbreaking” and reiterated that “guns do not belong in our schools.” Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde expressed frustration at the repeated violence, stating, “This is just becoming way too familiar, and it should not be familiar.”
Students described the panic that followed the gunfire. “I heard like six shots,” said junior Detaeja King. “The teacher ran to the door and told us to hide in the corner.”
The school district has canceled classes for the remainder of the week and is offering counseling services to students and staff.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement of support, pledging assistance to local law enforcement and calling for justice for those affected.
The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.
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