As investigators continue to look into the motives of the alleged juvenile gunman, a Texas high school student who was shot Monday just outside the school building has passed away.
Before many students arrived at the campus for their first day of class after spring break, officers responded to reports of a shooting at 6:55 a.m. The male student was discovered with what appeared to be a gunshot wound outside Lamar High School in Arlington, according to the Arlington Police Department.
According to authorities, the student was taken in critical condition to a nearby hospital, where he eventually passed away from his wounds.
Another student, a female, was grazed by gunfire and taken to the hospital by an observing adult. She sustained non-life-threatening wounds, according to the police.
After contacting the families, the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the victims. Authorities refused to provide their ages or grades.
Officers spotted a male juvenile at the crime scene who matched the witness descriptions of the alleged gunman. Without incident, officers encircled the man and took him into custody. Authorities stated that a weapon was seized nearby but did not provide any other information.
According to authorities, the juvenile suspect never entered the school and fled the campus shortly after opening fire. The origin of the shooter’s weapon and his motivation remains unclear.
During the shooting, a lockdown was implemented at the school. Students were reunited with their parents at about 11 a.m. when police concluded their search of the school facility at 10:40 a.m.
In a statement, Police Chief Al Jones extended sympathy to the victims’ families and to all Lamar High School students and faculty, stating that the community cannot allow this type of violence.
Jones stated, “We require gun owners to be responsible and properly lock their firearms so that they do not end up on our school campuses.” “We will continue to collaborate with our colleagues at Arlington ISD to ensure that our schools are safe learning environments for students.”
According to FOX4 Dallas-Fort Worth, the school remained closed on Tuesday, and counselors will be available when students return to campus on Wednesday. Police stated that the suspect was not officially recognized because he was a kid.
He was being detained at the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center on an allegation of first-degree murder. Authorities stated that additional charges are conceivable, awaiting the investigation’s conclusion.
In Texas, capital murder convictions can result in the death penalty. The ultimate decision over which charges to prosecute in a case is made by the prosecutor, and these are not usually the same as those brought upon arrest.
