At least 8 people have been killed in another school shooting. Early this morning around 7:30, in Sante Fe, Texas, another school was attacked by a student wielding what some described as a shotgun and automatic pistol. The unnamed 17 year old, walked into an arts class and opened fire. Authorities also found explosive devices in and near the school. Besides the assumed perpetrator who has been apprehended, another student was detained. Police have listed him as a person of interest. Most of the dead are students, and at least one school resource officer has been injured. The officer is in critical condition and is currently undergoing surgery. According to one news outlet, this is the 3rd school shooting in the last eight days and the 9th since the year began. Because authorities have found explosive devices in the high school and in adjacent areas, the school has been emptied. Walter Braun, Sante Fe Independent School District police chief, 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.
At least 12 others were also injured in the brazen attack and are being treated at nearby hospitals. Witnesses also reported hearing an alarm, but it hasn’t established if the alarm went off before the shooting started or after. There were conflicting reports concerning when the alarm was triggered. Angelica Martinez, a 14-year-old student who attends the school gave this account, “We were all standing (outside), but not even five minutes later, we started hearing gunshots, and then everybody starts running, but like the teachers are telling us to stay put, but we’re all just running away.” The President has also addressed the tragedy, saying from the White House, “Unfortunately, I have to begin by expressing our sadness and heartbreak over the deadly shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas. This has been going on too long in our country. Too many years. Too many decades now. We grieve for the terrible loss of life and send our support to everyone affected by this absolutely horrific attack.” Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Cameron Kasky responded to the latest high school shooting in a tweet on Friday, telling his followers to prepare for the National Rifle Association to “boast about getting higher donations.” There has been no statement from the NRA concerning today’s massacre, but I’m sure they will send their prayers…
Update: The Houston Chronicle, quoting law enforcement sources, says the suspected shooter was armed with multiple weapons – an AR-15 style rifle, a pistol, a shotgun and pipe bombs.
Update: A man holding a large American flag, carrying a gun, was at the scene of the Sante Fe High School shooting in Texas and said “Make America Great Again”. He was speaking to local KHOU-TV reporters near the scene where there are possibly multiple fatalities. The man said he was there to “offer support” but it was unclear what kind of support he was offering by echoing US President Donald Trump’s now-famous slogan. ( I just can’t right now.)
Update: After Parkland, the school received several threats that the district investigated and found not to be credible.
Update: Texas high school shooting suspect identified as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis
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