School shooting in Texas leaves 10 dead
Listen to this articleWASHINGTON — Ten people are confirmed dead after a shooting Friday morning at a high school in the southeastern Texas city of Santa Fe. Three others are in a hospital and one school resource officer was injured, authorities said.
Nine students and one teacher died in the shooting, police said.
Police have a suspect in custody who is believed to have fired several shots inside Santa Fe High School, assistant principal Cris Richardson told reporters near the school.”Police said the gunman entered an art class and opened fire.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a second person has been arrested.
One is in custody, a second one detained. An injured police officer is being treated, the extent of his injuries are unknown.
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 18, 2018
Pipe bombs and pressure cookers were found at the scene, police said. The Santa Fe Independent School District said in a statement that authorities are in the process of deactivating the explosive devices.
Seventeen-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis has been identified as the gunman, authorities said.
President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and congressional Republicans sent prayers and offered support.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/997493407097524224
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/997515759281680385
My office and I are following the situation closely, and offering assistance and support. Praying for Santa Fe. https://t.co/zYin6eRiwE
— Randy Weber (@TXRandy14) May 18, 2018
Just talked to Galveston County Sheriff’s Department for update on Santa Fe High School shooting. Local, state and federal authorities on scene.
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) May 18, 2018
Heidi and I are keeping all the students and faculty at Santa Fe High School in our prayers this morning, along with all first responders on the scene. Please be safe and heed warnings from local officials. https://t.co/5Un3Y4IA86
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) May 18, 2018
Democrats offered prayers and reiterated support for new gun-control legislation.
I am closely following reports out of Texas in the wake of today’s awful shooting. My heart is with the students & all who are waiting to hear from loved ones. Deeply thankful for our heroic first responders. Congress has a duty to take action to save lives. #neveragain
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) May 18, 2018
Let’s call it like it is: the horrifying inaction of Congress, slaughter after slaughter, has become a green light to would-be shooters, who pervert silence into endorsement.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 18, 2018
Congress failed the victims at Sante Fe High School. I am disgusted and angry that we continue to fail our kids. I grieve with the families and friends who have lost loved ones.
But thoughts and prayers must be accompanied by real solutions. Otherwise, it’s an empty platitude.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) May 18, 2018
Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott (R) issued an executive order that all state flags be lowered to half staff in memory of those slain.
“The devastating act sustained by the Santa Fe High School community today has deeply touched the core of who we are as caring people. As such, it is fitting that flags should be lowered to half-staff in memory of those who lost their lives,” Abbott said in a statement.
“Therefore, pursuant to Chapter 3100 of the Texas Government Code, I direct the Texas flag be immediately lowered to half-staff statewide on Friday, May 18, 2018, in memory of those who lost their lives. Flags should remain at half-staff through sunset on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.”
The shooting was the third at a U.S. school in eight days.
On Wednesday, a school resource officer in Illinois shot and wounded a former student who fired a gun near a graduation rehearsal at Dixon High School, authorities said. Dixon Police Officer Mark Dallas confronted the suspect, Matthew Milby, 19, who police say had fired shots at the officer. Dallas fired back, wounding Milby, according to police. The officer was not injured. Dallas is being hailed a hero for stopping the gunman. Pence praised the officer Thursday on Twitter.
Another example of the brave work performed by law enforcement each and every day. Lives were saved thanks to the heroic actions of school resource officer Mark Dallas. #PoliceWeek https://t.co/RNPuJTX6sF
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 17, 2018
Milby faces three charges of aggravated discharge of a firearm and is being held on $2 million bail. A judge on Friday refused a request by Millby’s defense attorney to lower the bail amount.
Last Friday a 14-year-old boy was taken into custody after going to his former high school in Palmdale, Calif., and allegedly shooting a semiautomatic rifle just before classes started, authorities said. One person was wounded. The suspect is accused of attempted murder.
The senior class at Santa Fe High School in Texas was scheduled to graduate on Sunday.
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
Bryan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a life-long passion for politics at all levels. He has interned in the Maryland General Assembly and has volunteered for several congressional campaigns. Given this particular background, he has a unique insight into the dynamics of political analysis. When he is not writing, Bryan spends his time reading about history and frequenting Chinese restaurants.