Student in custody after shooting classmate in the leg at Wilmer-Hutchins HS

A student is currently in custody after allegedly shooting another student in the leg inside a classroom at Wilmer-Hutchins High School on Friday morning, according to Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde.

District police reported that the incident occurred at the school, located at 5520 Langdon Road, shortly after 10:30 a.m. They stated that the school was swiftly secured, with emergency medical services arriving on-site before 11 a.m. to transport the injured student to a nearby hospital.

Dr. Elizalde expressed her deep concern about the situation, stating, “This is a very, very, very hard day today, and I’m standing here with more than just a heavy heart.” She confirmed that the student sustained a non-life-threatening injury and commended the teacher for their quick action in directing the armed student out of the classroom to prevent further harm.

While the identities and ages of both the suspect and victim have not been officially confirmed, Dallas ISD Police Chief Albert Martinez indicated that both students involved were believed to be at least 17 years old. The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation.

Authorities disclosed that a handgun was recovered at the scene. Dr. Elizalde acknowledged that the school does have metal detectors but noted vulnerabilities in the building’s entrances, prompting an investigation into how the student gained access to the firearm.

Dallas ISD Police Chief Martinez will lead an after-action study and report to identify lessons learned and enhance security measures. Dr. Elizalde emphasized the importance of proactive measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Parents expressed outrage over the lack of communication from the school regarding the lockdown and shooting, with some stating that they learned about the incident from their children. Representative Jasmine Crockett issued a statement condemning the shooting and calling for stricter gun control measures in schools.

The incident at Wilmer-Hutchins High School echoes a similar shooting at Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington in October 2021, highlighting ongoing concerns about gun violence in educational settings.