Contact Form

 

Live: Texas high school shooting


(CNN) Ten people were killed and 10 others were injured in a shooting Friday morning at a high school in the southeastern Texas city of Santa Fe, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed.

Authorities have said two people have been detained in the shooting at Santa Fe High School. The Galveston County Sheriff's Office identified the shooter as Dimitrios Pagourtzis , who is 17.

He is in jail, accused of capital murder, the sheriff's office said.

The alleged shooter used a shotgun and a .38 revolver that were legally owned by his father, Abbott told reporters. Two school resource officers were on the campus and confronted the shooter "early on in the process," Abbott said.

Latest developments

• Abbott said investigators have found journals on a computer and cell phone owned by the suspect.

• The governor offered his sympathies to the victims then called for lawmakers and others to come together to prevent more tragedies. "We need to do more than just pray for the victims and their families. It's time in Texas that we take action to step up and make sure this tragedy is never repeated ever again."

• Retired Houston Police officer John Barnes was one of the people shot at Santa Fe High School, a hospital official said. Houston's police chief tweeted that he visited the hospital where Barnes was being treated and that Barnes was "hanging in there." The officer was working as a Santa Fe officer, a police union official tweeted.

Early morning attack

Gunfire erupted at the school, about 20 miles outside Galveston, not long after classes began around 7:30 a.m. CT, officials said. Authorities later found explosive devices -- including pipe bombs and pressure cookers -- in and near the school, the law enforcement official said.

The suspect is believed to be a student. A second person -- also believed to be a student -- has been detained as well, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said earlier.

The male that Gonzalez described as a suspect was injured, a law enforcement official said on condition of anonymity.

Investigators believe that the second person, an 18-year-old, may be an accomplice but not a shooter, a law enforcement official said.

Two law enforcement officers are among the injured, according to a law enforcement source.

One man is in critical condition with a gunshot wound in one of his arms, said David Marshall, chief nursing officer for University of Texas Medical Branch hospital.

This is the 22nd US school shooting since the beginning of the year, and the third instance in eight days in which a gunman was on a school campus.

Witnesses described students running from the school as they heard gunshots; they also described hearing an alarm at the school, though the sequence of events wasn't immediately clear.

Authorities found explosive devices in the high school and in adjacent areas, said Walter Braun, Santa Fe Independent School District police chief. It wasn't immediately clear if any had exploded.

Santa Fe High School junior Guadalupe Sanchez, 16, cries in the arms of her mother, Elida Sanchez, after reuniting with her at a meeting point at a nearby fitness center after Friday's shooting.

Because the devices were found, Braun urged people in the city of about 13,000 people to "not touch any items that look out of place, and call 911" if they see something suspicious.

Investigators Friday afternoon were searching a trailer where they believe the devices were assembled, a law enforcement source said.

The school has been cleared of all students and staff, who have been directed to a nearby facility to reunite with their families, Braun said.

Witness: Shooter fired gun in an art class

An armed person walked into an art class at the school and began firing what looked like a shotgun, a witness told CNN affiliate KTRK

The witness told KTRK she saw a girl shot in the leg.

Victims were being treated at three hospitals, authorities said. Eight people were at Clear Lake Regional Medical in Webster, Texas; two patients were being treated at Mainland Medical Center in Texas City; and three patients are at John Sealy University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. It is unclear whether they were all wounded.

Six of the eight patients at Clare Lake Regional were discharged by Friday afternoon.

Witnesses describe hearing an alarm as well as gunfire

Angelica Martinez, a 14-year-old student, told CNN she and her schoolmates were being evacuated at one point "like it's a fire drill."

"We were all standing (outside), but not even five minutes later, we started hearing gunshots," she said. "And then everybody starts running, but, like, the teachers are telling us to stay put, but we're all just running away."

"I didn't see anybody shooting, but like (the gunshots) were kind of spaced," Angelica said, adding she heard about four shots.

The witness who spoke to KTRK also said she heard an alarm. She didn't specify if that was before or after the gunfire she described in the art class.

She said she couldn't describe the shooter.

"I didn't look. I just ran," she said.

Police officers work a checkpoint in front of Santa Fe High School in response to the shooting.

Another student, Dakota Shrader, told CNN affiliate KPRC that she heard gunshots only after hearing an alarm in the school.

"I was in the history hallway, and as soon as we heard the alarms, everybody just started leaving following the same procedure as ... (a) practice fire drill," Shrader said, breaking into tears. "And next thing you know, we just hear ... three gunshots, loud explosions, and all the teachers are telling us to run."

Santa Fe High School student Dakota Shrader is comforted by her mother Susan Davidson after Friday's shooting.

MaKenna Evans, a 16-year-old sophomore, told CNN she was in geometry class when the shooting started.

First, she heard a fire alarm, she said. When the students got outside, her principal told them all to run.

Evans said students hid behind a building across the street from the school.

The high school has about 1,400 students, according to GreatSchools.org.

Three gun incidents in eight days

Friday's shooting was the third time someone with a gun was reported on a US school in recent days.

On Wednesday, an Illinois school resource officer shot and wounded a former student who fired a weapon near a graduation rehearsal at Dixon High School , authorities said. The suspected gunman faces three charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm.

On May 11, a 14-year-old boy in In Palmdale, California, went to Highland High, his former school, and began shooting a semiautomatic rifle shortly before classes began, authorities said . He was taken into custody and is accused of attempted murder. One person was wounded.

Trump: Mass shootings have been 'going on too long in our country'

President Donald Trump addressed the school shooting in Santa Fe Friday, saying that mass shootings have been "going on too long."

"Unfortunately, I have to begin by expressing our sadness and heartbreak over the deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas," Trump said from the East Room of the White House. "This has been going on too long in our country. Too many years. Too many decades now."

Trump said federal authorities are coordinating with local officials.

"We grieve for the terrible loss of life and send our support to everyone affected by this absolutely horrific attack," Trump said.


Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo took to Twitter to address concerns about John Barnes, the retired police officer who was shot in the elbow today at Santa Fe High School.

Acevedo said Barnes, 49, is "hanging in there" and that his family is "very hopeful."

The chief tweeted:

In a second tweet, Acevedo talked about Barnes' career in law enforcement:

Hospital officials said Barnes is still in surgery to repair his elbow.

He is listed in critical condition, but they say his vitals are stable in the operating room as they work to repair the bone.


Ten people have been killed in a shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas, in the latest gun violence in a country still shaken by the massacre at a Florida high school in February.

A majority of those who died were students, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said that 10 people were killed and 10 others injured at .

The suspect in Santa Fe High School shooting is being held on a capital murder charge.

Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said that 17-year-old student Dimitrios Pagourtzis is being held without bond in the Galveston County jail.

Please allow a few seconds for te live blog to load, if you cannot see it click here

Sheriff Gonzalez said that the campus - about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Houston - is still considered an active crime scene.

Explosive devices had also been found at the school and off campus, Gonzalez tweeted. “Law enforcement is in the process of rendering them safe. School has been evacuated.”

Texas shooting: scene at Santa Fe high school

15 show all Texas shooting: scene at Santa Fe high school

1/15 Santa Fe High School staff react as they gather in the parking lot of a gas station The Galveston County Daily News via AP

2/15 An active shooter incident was reported at Santa Fe High School in Texas KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

3/15 People embrace outside the Alamo Gym where students and parents wait to reunite following a shooting at Santa Fe High School Houston Chronicle via AP

4/15 Law enforcement officers responding at Santa Fe High School HCSO via Reuters

5/15 Santa Fe High School student Dakota Shrader is comforted by her mother Susan Davidson following a shooting at the school Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP

6/15 School staff members sit in a school bus to be transported to another school The Galveston County Daily News via AP

7/15 A Santa Fe Police officer consoles others after the shooting The Galveston County Daily News via AP

8/15 Emergency personnel and law enforcement officers respond to claims that an active shooter was reported on campus KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

9/15 Police officers work a check point in front of Santa Fe High School The Galveston County Daily News via AP

10/15 A woman prays in the grass outside the Alamo Gym where parents wait to reunite with their kids following a shooting at Santa Fe High School Houston Chronicle via AP

11/15 Santa Fe High School freshman Caitlyn Girouard, center, hugs her friend outside the Alamo Gym Houston Chronicle via AP

12/15 A Pearland Police armored vehicle stands in front of Santa Fe High School The Galveston County Daily News via AP

13/15 Emergency responders from multiple agencies work at the scene The Galveston County Daily News via AP

14/15 KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

15/15 KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

Authorities found writings in the Texas shooting suspect's journals that indicated he wanted to take his own life, Texas Govenor Greg Abbott said.

"We also know information already that the shooter has information contained in journals on his computer and his cell phone that he said that not only did he want to commit the shooting, but he wanted to commit suicide after the shooting," he said.

"As you probably know, he gave himself up and admitted at the time he didn't have the courage to commit the suicide, that he wanted to take his own life earlier," Abbott added.

Mr Abbott called the shooting "one of the most heinous attacks that we've ever seen in the history of Texas schools." He added that the weapons used were a shotgun and a .38 revolver.

He said explosive devices including a Molotov cocktail that had been found in the suspected shooter's home and a vehicle as well as around the school and nearby.

Mr Abbott said there are "one or two" other people of interest being interviewed about the shooting.

Donald Trump issues statement after Santa Fe High School shooting

President Donald Trump called the shooting heartbreaking and said that federal and local authorities were coordinating in the wake of the gun attack.

“My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves and to others,” Mr Trump said at the White House.

Student Leila Butler told the local ABC affiliate that fire alarms went off at about 7.45am local time and students left their classrooms. She said some students believe they heard shots fired, and that she was sheltering with other students and teachers near campus.

Another student, Dakota Shrader, told Fox 26 TV her 17-year-old girlfriend told her by phone that she was wounded but was recovering in a hospital. "My friend got injured," said an emotional Shrader. "Her leg, she got shot in the leg."

Dr David Marshall, chief nursing officer at the University of Texas Medical Branch, said that the hospital was treating at least three patients - two adults and one person under 18. He said it was not immediately clear if that child was a student.

"I know that they have gunshot wounds but that's the extent of the knowledge I have at this point," Marshall told reporters at a news conference. "One adult is in our operating room."

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a statement on the shooting: "The thoughts and prayers of all Texans are with the people of Santa Fe and those affected by today's tragic shooting. As horrific reports come out of Santa Fe High School, my office stands ready to assist local law enforcement as needed."


As many as 10 people have been killed and two suspects are in custody after a school shooting in Texas.

Shots rang out at Santa Fe High School on Friday morning, in what would become the 22nd school shooting in the US this year. Students recalled hearing a fire alarm and thinking it was a drill – until they heard the sound of gunshots.

Follow latest updates after shooting attack at Santa Fe high school

"It is with great sadness that I stand here to share with you that we experienced an unthinkable tragedy at our high school this morning," Santa Fe Independent School district Superintendent Leigh Wal said in a statement.

She added: "We are grieving the loss of members of our SFISD family."

The suspected shooter and a possible accomplice were said to be students at the high school, located some 40 miles of Houston.

The school district said possible explosive devices had been located at the school and off campus. Law enforcement was attempting to render them safe.

At least 12 people – including one police officer – were hospitalised in the wake of the shooting. The police officer was injured attempting to engage the shooter, according to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. The extent of his injuries was unknown.

Texas shooting: scene at Santa Fe high school

15 show all Texas shooting: scene at Santa Fe high school

1/15 Santa Fe High School staff react as they gather in the parking lot of a gas station The Galveston County Daily News via AP

2/15 An active shooter incident was reported at Santa Fe High School in Texas KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

3/15 People embrace outside the Alamo Gym where students and parents wait to reunite following a shooting at Santa Fe High School Houston Chronicle via AP

4/15 Law enforcement officers responding at Santa Fe High School HCSO via Reuters

5/15 Santa Fe High School student Dakota Shrader is comforted by her mother Susan Davidson following a shooting at the school Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP

6/15 School staff members sit in a school bus to be transported to another school The Galveston County Daily News via AP

7/15 A Santa Fe Police officer consoles others after the shooting The Galveston County Daily News via AP

8/15 Emergency personnel and law enforcement officers respond to claims that an active shooter was reported on campus KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

9/15 Police officers work a check point in front of Santa Fe High School The Galveston County Daily News via AP

10/15 A woman prays in the grass outside the Alamo Gym where parents wait to reunite with their kids following a shooting at Santa Fe High School Houston Chronicle via AP

11/15 Santa Fe High School freshman Caitlyn Girouard, center, hugs her friend outside the Alamo Gym Houston Chronicle via AP

12/15 A Pearland Police armored vehicle stands in front of Santa Fe High School The Galveston County Daily News via AP

13/15 Emergency responders from multiple agencies work at the scene The Galveston County Daily News via AP

14/15 KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

15/15 KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

Representatives from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston said they had received three patients – two adults and one minor. The minor was admitted to the hospital while the adults were being treated in the emergency room.

Clear Lake Regional Medical Centre in Webster received seven injured students, according to a spokeswoman for the facility. Two other injured students were taken to Mainland Medical Centre in Texas City, the spokeswoman said.

Witnesses said the shooting took place in an art class on campus between 7:30 and 7:45 am local time. One sophomore at the school said students were participating in what seemed to be a fire drill when they heard the shots.

“The next thing you know everyone looks and you just hear ‘Boom! Boom! Boom!’” student Dakota Shrader told CBS News. “I just ran as fast as I could to the nearest forest to hide and call my mom.”

Santa Fe High School shooting

Students were evacuated from the school and transported to a local gym to be reunited with their parents, according to the school district. Other schools in the district remained on a regular schedules.

One student, a 17-year-old junior who asked to remain anonymous, told The Independent that she thought that the fire alarm going off was a drill, and that she and her friends were joking and walking out of the building when a "normally level-headed" teacher began "screaming at us to run and duck for cover". She said that another teacher was "crying hysterically" as she tried to get children out of the building.

That student, who said it was the worst day of her life, said that about 250 students ran across the street from the school and hid behind an auto store. She then began to frantically search for her 15-year-old brother, who was safe. The chaos felt very similar to a false alarm in February, she said, when popping sounds triggered a lock down after a girl posted pictures of a semi-automatic rifle online.

"I wasn't surprised, either after our fake-out in February," the student said. "It felt like it was a ticking time bomb waiting to explode since then. ... No one is ever really prepared for something like this."

Surrounding school districts were placed on "protect mode" as a precaution. Doors were locked and personnel were stationed at outer doors, and no students were allowed outside of building.

The Santa Fe Police, Galveston County Sheriff's Office, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives all responded to the scene.

Bomb squad at a home about 3 miles from Santa Fe High School following shooting

Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset identified 17-year-old Santa Fe High School student Dimitrios Pagourtzis as the suspected shooter.

Pagourtzis allegedly carried a shotgun and a .38 revolver during the shooting – neither of which he owned legally, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Authorities also found explosive devices, including a molotov cocktail, in his home and around the school.

Authorities also found writings in Pagourtzis' journals that indicated he wanted to commit suicide, Mr Abbott said. Photos on the suspect's Facebook page showed a t-shirt reading "born to kill".

"As you probably know, he gave himself up and admitted at the time he didn't have the courage to commit the suicide, that he wanted to take his own life earlier," Mr Abbott said.

Pagourtzis was being held without bond in the Galveston County jail. Officials believe an 18-year-old they detained may be an accomplice, but not a shooter, according to CNN.

Man shows up to the Santa Fe high school shooting, with an American flag and a gun, says make America great again

President Donald Trump called the shooting an "absolutely horrific" incident. “This has been going on too long in our country," he said in remarks at a prison reform summit.

Mr Trump has suggested arming school teachers and abolishing "gun free zones" in order to protect students.

Ted Cruz, a US senator from Texas, tweeted that he was keeping the students and faculty at Santa Fe High School in his prayers.

The incident occurred just over three months after a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, where 17 students and staff members were killed. The shooting sparked renewed calls for gun control reform, and a debate over how best to protect students.

"To everyone at Santa Fe high school, I hope you're safe, I’m so sorry this is happening, and I’m so sorry that it continues to happen," Sarah Chadwick, a survivor of the Parkland shooting, tweeted.

She added: "No one should be in the situation that you're all currently in. Im not going to say thoughts and prayers but instead policy and action."

Total comment

Author

fw

0   comments

Cancel Reply