Following a shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School on Tuesday afternoon, many issues still need to be answered.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting and how a pistol entered the school have not been disclosed by the Dallas Independent School District. Despite not disclosing the suspect’s identification, the district announced Tuesday evening that he was in jail.
Pupils reported that they were dragged from class and taken to a secure location outside the school.
As parents and students respond, a shooting causes chaos.
“We heard all the gunshots,” Wilmer-Hutchins High School student Sevynn Jones stated. “Like seven of them.”
“I heard like six shots and the teacher ran to the door and closed it and told us to hide in the corner,” 11th grader Detaeja King stated.
Following the tragedy, anxious parents rushed to be with their children again.
“It was chaotic when I got here,” Sherikaye Fagan, whose two daughters go to the school, said.
“Told me there was a shooting at the school and for me to go up there. So, I just jumped on out of bed,” mother Peggy Hickson, stated.
Three of the four male students injured in the shooting were struck by gunfire, according to authorities. According to Dallas Fire-Rescue, injuries can vary from minor to major.
The superintendent of Dallas ISD responds to rising concerns
During a press conference in the afternoon, DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde stated, “Quite frankly, this is just becoming way too familiar, and it should not be familiar.”
Although Elizalde and DISD police only responded to two questions, they did state that no safety lapses led to Tuesday’s tragedy.
“The gun did not come through during regular intake time so if it was not a failure of our staff of our protocols or of the machinery that we have, it did not come in through regular intake,” Assistant Chief of DISD Police, Christina Smith, stated.
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“They checked our bags and stuff, so I don’t know how they got it in,” King stated.
“The metal detectors — are they working? Cause I’m sure if they were working, they would know kids would have some type of gun on them,” Hickson asked.
The high school is still closed, but therapy is available
Despite the fact that no students were in risk, the district stated that Wilmer-Hutchins Elementary School was on lockdown because of the shooting’s closeness.
According to the district, there will be counselors available for staff and students, and there won’t be any classes at the high school for the remainder of the week.
