Santa Fe High School shooting

Santa Fe High School shooting
Part of school shootings in the United States
Santa Fe
Santa Fe (Texas)
Santa Fe
Santa Fe (the US)
Location Santa Fe High School
16000 Hwy 6
Santa Fe, Texas, U.S.
Coordinates 29°23′31″N 95°08′28″W / 29.39194°N 95.14111°W / 29.39194; -95.14111Coordinates: 29°23′31″N 95°08′28″W / 29.39194°N 95.14111°W / 29.39194; -95.14111
Date May 18, 2018
7:40 a.m.- 8:05 a.m (CDT, UTC−6)
Attack type
 School shooting
Weapons Remington 870 shotgun
.38-caliber revolver
Explosives
Molotov cocktail
Deaths 10
Non-fatal injuries
 14 (including the suspect)
Suspected perpetrator
 Dimitrios Pagourtzis
Charges 10 counts of murder
13 counts of attempted murder
Litigation Lawsuit against parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis by family of Chris Stone

A school shooting occurred at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, United States, in the Houston metropolitan area, on May 18, 2018. Ten people – eight students and two teachers – were fatally shot and thirteen others were wounded.[1][2] The suspected shooter was taken into custody and later identified by police as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student at the school.[3][4]

The shooting is the second-deadliest school shooting in the United States in 2018, after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February resulted in 17 deaths and 17 injuries.

Shooting

The shooter began firing a weapon into an art class at the school at around 7:40 a.m. CDT.[5] The incident occurred in the school's art complex which consists of four rooms connected to one another with interior hallways, and other rooms.[6] Witnesses said the two targeted classrooms are connected by a ceramics room the shooter accessed by damaging a door window.[7]

One wounded victim told reporters the shooter walked into the classroom and pointed at another person, saying "I'm going to kill you."[8] According to a witness, students barricaded themselves in the art classroom storage closet, and the shooter shot through the door with a shotgun. He left the art room briefly, causing students to leave the closet and attempt to barricade the art room door, but he pushed the door open. Upon spotting a student he knew, he said "Surprise!" and shot the student in the chest.[9] Students are credited with giving victims medical attention in an effort to provide aid.[10]

Police officers stationed at the school engaged with the shooter, with one officer being wounded and admitted in critical condition to a local hospital.[11] After shooting into the ceramics room, he was engaged by a Santa Fe school police officer and a Texas State Trooper who attempted to have him surrender peacefully.[12] He reportedly threatened to shoot the officers and repeatedly fired rounds while arguing with the police.[7] He surrendered to the officers after being injured during the shooting.[13] The Galveston County Sheriff said officers engaged him within four minutes, and allowed for the safe evacuation of other students and faculty.[6]

Parents were kept off school grounds during the response to the shooting, with parents being directed to the Alamo gym by 8 AM. Students were then evacuated to the gym and reunited with their parents.[10]

The shooter told police he meant to kill the classmates he shot and wanted to spare the students he liked, so he could "have his story told."[8][14] The shooting lasted about 25 minutes until he was arrested.[15]

According to the probable cause affidavit and complaint filed by law enforcement, the shooter used a pump-action Remington Model 870 shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver.[16] Both firearms appear to have been legally owned by his father.[17] Various types of explosive devices were found at the school and off campus, as well as a Molotov cocktail,[4][18] and residents in the surrounding area were warned to be aware of all suspicious objects.[19]

Two other people were detained by police as persons of interest. One was detained at the scene due to "suspicious reactions" after the shooting, and another was described as being interviewed.[12]

Victims

Ten people were killed and thirteen people were injured. The eight students and two teachers killed were:[20][21]

  • Jared Conard Black, age 17[22]
  • Shana Fisher, 16[23]
  • Christian Riley Garcia, 15
  • Aaron Kyle McLeod, 15
  • Glenda Anne Perkins, 64 (teacher)
  • Angelique Ramirez, 15
  • Sabika Sheikh, 17 (exchange student from Pakistan)[24][25]
  • Christopher Stone, 17[26]
  • Cynthia Tisdale, 63 (teacher)[27]
  • Kimberly Vaughan, 14

Suspect

The suspected shooter was identified by police as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, a 17-year-old student at the school.[28][14] He is charged with capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault against public servant; and held in custody without bail.[29] If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life.[30]

According to at least one witness, Pagourtzis was the victim of bullying by multiple students and coaches.[31][32] The school refuted the allegations of bullying by faculty.[33] One of his former teachers described him as "quiet, but he wasn't quiet in a creepy way."[34] and had never seen him draw or write anything in his class journal that she found suspicious or unusual.[34] Pagourtzis was on the honor roll, and he played on the school football team.[35]

Pagourtzis's journals on his computer and cell phone, found by police after the shooting, suggested to Governor Greg Abbott "not only did he want to commit the shooting, but he wanted to commit suicide after the shooting, planned on doing this for some time. He advertised his intentions but somehow slipped through the cracks".[36][37]

Classmates recounted how at a water park the day before the shooting Pagourtzis did not show any signs of his plans, and seemed friendly and funny.[7] Other classmates have called him a "weird loner" and that he "never seemed right".[38]

The New York Times and Los Angeles Times highlighted Pagourtzis's social media presence. On April 30, Pagourtzis posted a photo of a shirt with the words "Born to Kill" on his Facebook page.[39] The Facebook page also included photos of his black duster coat with several buttons on it, with an accompanying caption: "Hammer and Sickle=Rebellion. Rising Sun=Kamikaze Tactics. Iron Cross=Bravery. Baphomet=Evil. Cthulu=Power."[35][39] The Facebook page has since been taken down.[39]

Family statement

In a published statement, Pagourtzis' family extended their prayers and condolences to the victims and thanked first responders for their assistance. According to the statement, they were as shocked by the event as everyone else. The family stated they were cooperating with authorities and requested the media and others to respect their privacy and that of the victims.[40]

While speaking to reporters, Pagourtzis' father, an immigrant from Greece, claimed that his son's history of being bullied was the reason for the shooting.[41]

Pagourtzis was booked into the Galveston County Jail on ten capital murder charges, along with multiple counts of aggravated assault. He was ordered held without bond.[14] Pagourtzis is represented by attorneys hired by his parents.[42]

Despite the nature of the crime and the continued usage of capital punishment in Texas, 17-year-old Pagourtzis is ineligible for the death penalty if convicted, due to the 2005 Roper v. Simmons Supreme Court ruling declaring that the death sentence for minors constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Separate filings

The parents of victim Chris Stone filed a lawsuit against Pagourtzis's parents, claiming his father did not properly secure his weapons and the parents were negligent in entrusting their son with the firearms.[43] Under Texas law guns cannot be made accessible to minors outside hunting or under parental supervision, and if broken the penalty can be up to a year in jail and a $4,000 fine if the weapon causes serious injury or death.[44] The parents of a second victim Aaron McLeod, joined the lawsuit with additional allegations against the parents of Pagourtzis. Both families are alleging in addition to the above, the failure to obtain mental health counseling and support, and failure to warn the public of their sons "dangerous propensities".[45]

Reactions

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his condolences in a press conference shortly following the shootings, and said his "administration is determined to do everything in [its] power to protect our students".[46] On May 31, Trump met with victims, families, and others affected, to discuss the event and trying to find prevention methods.[47]

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said, "Our schools must be safe and nurturing environments for learning. No student should have to experience the trauma suffered by so many today and in similar events prior. We simply cannot allow this trend to continue.”[48]

Democratic Leader and U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi expressed her condolences and thanked the first responders. She also called for Congress to act and vote now to prevent gun violence.[49]

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a press briefing that the attack was "one of the most heinous attacks that we've ever seen in the history of Texas schools."[50] He also called for all Texans to hold a moment of silence on May 21 at 10:00 AM CDT in honor of the victims, their families and first responders.[51]

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said the design of Texas schools with "too many entrances and too many exits" may have to be reconsidered.[52] He said the issue is “not about the guns, it's about us.”[53]

The organizers of the March for Our Lives, from the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting three months earlier, tweeted "Though this is the 22nd school shooting this year, we urge those reading this not to sweep it under the rug and forget."[54]

John Barnes, a police officer wounded in the shooting rampage, was hailed as a hero for tackling the shooter and saving many lives despite blood loss.[55]

School response

The Santa Fe Independent School District has an active shooter plan, and two armed police officers that interacted with students in the school. In the year prior to the shooting, the school district leadership made plans to arm teachers and staff through the Texas School Marshal Program. After the shooting, the president of the school district's Board of Trustees said the district's policies and procedures worked, and that it was not the failure of the procedures that accounted for the incident, adding someone intent on entering the school to create havoc would be able to do so in any event.[56]

As a result of the mass shooting, the district plans to renovate the northwest area of the campus, including sealing off the art rooms in which the shooting occurred as well as the adjacent hallway. A new hallway and counselor's office will be installed.[57] A new protection plan was unveiled for the 2018-2019 school year with metal detectors at each entrance and police officers will patrol the campus with donated AR-15s equipped with rifle optics.[58]

Memorials

Students organized a candlelight vigil on May 18.[59] Ten white crosses have been placed in front of the school to memorialize the deceased.[41] The white crosses were removed prior to the start of the 2018/19 school year.

President Trump ordered all U.S. flags flown at half-staff from May 18 until sunset on May 22.[60]

Fundraisers and support

Blood drives were set up to support the local hospitals.[61]

Houston Texans football player J. J. Watt offered to pay the funeral expenses of all the deceased.[62] Local funeral homes, florists, pastors offered heavily discounted or free rates for families of the deceased.[63]

On May 26, 2018, multiple fundraisers were held to raise money. One local business sponsored a fundraiser which brought in $257,000 for the victims.[64]

Unrelated weapon offenses

The following Monday there were five arrests in the Greater Houston area for bringing weapons to school or making threats in the Friendswood, Huffman, Cleveland, Clear Creek, and Texas City Independent School Districts.[65]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Joyce, Kathleen. "Texas high school shooting leaves at least 8 dead, suspect in custody: report". Fox News. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  2. ↑ "8 students treated for gunshot wounds". CNN. May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Several dead in Texas school shooting, say witnesses". News.com.au. May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Barker, Aaron. "LIVE: 8-10 killed in Santa Fe High School shooting, sheriff says". Click2Houston.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  5. ↑ "What we know so far about the Santa Fe school shooting". CNN. May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  6. 1 2 "At Santa Fe High School, police had an active-shooter plan. Then the fog of chaos descended". USA TODAY. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 Investigates, Bob Ortega, CNN. "Santa Fe shooting survivor: 'All that was going through my head was to get out'". CNN. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Frosch, Dan (May 19, 2018). "Texas Shooter Spared Students He Liked, Court Document Says". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  9. ↑ Jarvie, Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Matt Pearce, Jenny. "Texas school shooter killed girl who turned down his advances and embarrassed him in class, her mother says". latimes.com. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  10. 1 2 "Her Daughter Was Shot In The Santa Fe School Massacre. Here's What It's Like For One Mother". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  11. ↑ "Wounded Officer Had Sought a 'Simpler Life' Patrolling Schools". May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
  12. 1 2 "Teens watch classmates die on morning of chaos as shooter opens fire at Santa Fe school". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Pakistani student among Texas victims". BBC News. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  14. 1 2 3 "Officials identify suspect in shooting that killed 10 at Texas' Santa Fe High School". CNN. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  15. ↑ reporter, pooja lodhia, eyewitness news, (May 21, 2018). "Sheriff reveals moment officers confronted Santa Fe HS gunman". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  16. ↑ Smith, Cory. "@CorySmithNBC5". Twitter. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  17. ↑ "10 dead, 10 wounded in shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas, explosives found on campus: Officials". ABC News. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  18. ↑ "'Multiple fatalities' reported at Santa Fe High School shooting". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Up to 10 dead in Texas school shooting". BBC News. May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  20. ↑ "These are the victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting". The Dallas Morning News. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Pair of teachers among victims of Santa Fe school shooting". nypost.com. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  22. ↑ Webb, Shelby (May 29, 2018). "Santa Fe High School student Jared Conard Black remembered as supportive, creative". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  23. ↑ Bowden, John. "Santa Fe shooting suspect reportedly killed girl who turned down his advances". The Hill. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Family, friends mourn Pakistani exchange student killed in Santa Fe school shooting". DAWN. May 19, 2018.
  25. ↑ state.gov: On the Death of Pakistani Exchange Student Sabika Sheikh (Press Statement by Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State)
  26. ↑ Bosman, Julie; Bidgood, Jess. "Santa Fe School Shooting Victims: Here Are Their Stories". New York Times. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Teacher's aide among 10 dead in Texas high school shooting". ABC-News. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Update: Shooter In Custody…Officer Among The Wounded In School Shooting". WLIP - AM 1050. Retrieved 20 August 2018.
  29. ↑ "Here are the charges the shooting suspect faces". May 21, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  30. ↑ CNN, Eric Levenson,. "Why the Santa Fe shooting suspect cannot get the death penalty or life without parole". cnn.com. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Ten people killed in shooting at Texas high school; suspect in custody". Nbcnews.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  32. ↑ "Texas shooting: Who is Dimitrios Pagourtzis, suspect in the Santa Fe High School attack?". Ajc.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  33. ↑ "Santa Fe ISD - Official Site". www.facebook.com. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  34. 1 2 Fernandez, Manny; Blinder, Alan; Chokshi, Niraj (May 18, 2018). "10 Dead in Santa Fe, Texas, School Shooting; Suspect Used Shotgun and Revolver". The New York Times. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  35. 1 2 "Who Is Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the Texas Shooting Suspect?". The New York Times. May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  36. ↑ CNN, Evan Perez, Jason Morris and Raph Ellis,. "Dimitrios Pagourtzis identified as Santa Fe High shooter, sources say".
  37. ↑ "Texas students who supported Parkland endure own shooting". Associated Press. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  38. ↑ "Teen killed in school shooting knew suspect would target her". New York Post. 2018-05-21. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  39. 1 2 3 With graduation just days away, Texas school becomes latest casualty — 10 dead, 10 wounded in latest campus shooting, LA Times, May 19, 2018
  40. ↑ "Family of alleged Santa Fe High School shooter issues statement". ABC7 San Francisco. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  41. 1 2 "Santa Fe High School shooting suspect's father says son was bullied". Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  42. ↑ "Attorney: 'Don't rush to judgement' in Santa Fe shooting". ABC13 Houston. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Santa Fe victim's family sues parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis". ABC13 Houston. 2018-05-24. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  44. ↑ Betz, Bradford (2018-05-26). "Texas school shooting victim's family sue suspect's parents". Fox News. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  45. ↑ "Second Santa Fe family sues shooting suspect's parents". ABC13 Houston. 2018-06-06. Retrieved 2018-06-08.
  46. ↑ Estepa, Jessica; Korte, Gregory (May 18, 2018). "President Trump promises his action from his administration after Texas school shooting". USA Today. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  47. ↑ ""Like talking to a toddler:" Grieving parent of Santa Fe High School victim criticises Trump". Newsweek. 2018-06-03. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  48. ↑ "DeVos responds to Texas shooting: 'We simply cannot allow this trend to continue'", by Avery Anapol, The Hill
  49. ↑ "Nancy Pelosi issues call for "a vote to prevent gun violence now"". CNS News. May 18, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  50. ↑ Lozano, Juan A. "Ten killed, at least 10 injured in Texas school shooting". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Santa Fe community raising money for victims; Abbott calls for moment of silence at 10 a.m." statesman. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  52. ↑ Nowlin, Sanford (May 18, 2018). "Ban Doors, Not Guns, to Stop School Shootings, Dan Patrick Says". San Antonio Current.
  53. ↑ Sinclair, Harriet. "Texas Lt. Gov. thinks abortion, video games show 'culture of violence' that leads to school shootings". Newsweek. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  54. ↑ Zwirz, Elizabeth. "Parkland students react to Texas school shooting: 'Santa Fe High, you didn't deserve this'". Fox News. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  55. ↑ "Santa Fe school shooting: Wounded officer John Barnes a 'hero'". BBC News. 22 May 2018. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  56. ↑ "Santa Fe school had a shooting plan, armed officers, and practice. And still 10 people died". The Denver Post. May 20, 2018. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  57. ↑ Webb, Shelby (2018-07-10). "Santa Fe board OKs increased high school security while parents seek more information". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  58. ↑ "Will Your Kid's School be Safer This Fall? Here's What Educators Did After Mass Shootings". www.govtech.com. Retrieved 2018-09-10.
  59. ↑ "Students call for action during Southlake vigil supporting Santa Fe shooting victims". star-telegram. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  60. ↑ "Trump orders US flags flown at half-mast after shooting". ABC13 Houston. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  61. ↑ Team, HPM Digital (May 18, 2018). "Vigils Planned For Victims Of Santa Fe High School Shooting | Houston Public Media". Houston Public Media. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  62. ↑ "Texans' J.J. Watt to pay for funerals of Santa Fe shooting victims". Houston Chronicle. May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  63. ↑ "Meet The 28-Year-Old Funeral Director Laying Victims Of Santa Fe's School Shooting To Rest". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 2018-06-03.
  64. ↑ "Daryls Place Fundraiser - Live Video". Facebook.com. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  65. ↑ Reaux, Emily (21 May 2018). "Five Houston-area students arrested on Monday for guns, threats". KHOU.com. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
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