Students walk out of Wilmer-Hutchins High School, protest lack of security on campus

Following a shooting incident on campus, students at Wilmer-Hutchins High School staged a walkout on Monday morning to protest over concerns regarding campus security.

NBC 5 witnessed approximately 50 to 100 students exiting the school building as a form of demonstration. Some students expressed worries about their safety and criticized the effectiveness of campus security personnel.

According to the students, a brief meeting was held regarding the incident, during which school leaders appeared to shift blame onto teachers for not doing enough to ensure safety. However, students felt that the administration had not implemented adequate safety measures.

“They try to pick all the trouble onto the teachers, like it’s their job to protect us, it’s their job to teach us,” one student stated.

In solidarity with the students, two teachers also participated in the walkout, expressing criticism towards school leadership.

Tyree Dean, an English teacher at the school, commended the students for raising their voices. He emphasized the importance of not returning to normalcy after such a traumatic event, highlighting the fear experienced by his own family.

Dean criticized the lack of communication from the school administration, stating that he had to rely on social media for information about the incident.

Parents, echoing the concerns of students and teachers, expressed dissatisfaction with the district’s response to the shooting. Mark Shannon, a parent, announced his decision to withdraw his daughter from Wilmer-Hutchins High School due to ongoing safety concerns and organizational issues.

Parents and students noted the contrasting response between Wilmer-Hutchins High School and Wilmer Hutchins Elementary, where the principal held a virtual meeting to address concerns.

The shooting incident occurred on Friday when a student entered the building with a gun, injuring another student. The armed student was later apprehended, and no other injuries were reported.

Dean highlighted the importance of allowing students to voice their concerns and criticized attempts to silence them. He emphasized the need for disruptive actions to prompt change and ensure safer schools.

Dallas ISD has implemented a policy requiring clear or mesh backpacks for all students in grades K-12 but has not yet addressed how the student managed to bring a gun into the building.

DISD trustee Maxie Johnson acknowledged the students’ frustration and announced plans to hold a community meeting to address concerns raised by parents.