Following the deadly shooting of one male student and the injury of another outside a high school early on Monday morning, authorities said that an Arlington Independent School District student has been detained and charged with capital murder.
Lamar High School was reportedly on lockdown for a number of hours as a result of a shooting, according to Arlington ISD authorities and the police.
In Spanish: One student died and one was injured in a fall at an Arlington, Texas, preparatory school.
Shots fired on campus, outside of the school building, according to numerous calls received around 6:55 a.m., according to Arlington police officer Jesse Minton.
One Arlington ISD kid was shot, according to Minton, and was transported in critical condition by EMS to a hospital. The student died from his injuries, the Arlington Police Department (APD) reported during a press conference on Monday afternoon. The student’s name has not yet been made public.
Another female student’s dad brought her to the hospital after she was allegedly shot grazingly. Her injury is not potentially fatal.
After the shooting, the suspect fled, according to Arlington Police Chief Al Jones, and witnesses helped police track him down. He stated that additional charges are forthcoming and that the male juvenile suspect is charged with capital murder. The Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center is housing the suspect.
According to Jones, there is video of the incident, and it appears that the victims were waiting for the start of class when the shooting took place. At this time, a reason is not known.
By 10:40 a.m., the Arlington scene was safe.
Having our school resource officers present, in Officer Minton’s opinion, made a significant difference in how quickly we were able to react and understand what was happening to make this as safe as possible, as soon as possible.
Soon after the gunshot was reported, a Twitter user who lives close to the campus tweeted video of police action at the school.
Shooting at Lamar high school this morning 🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/Ch9bl1j8sW
— S U U O O O P (@2MuchINKK) March 20, 2023
Buses were used to transport all on-campus students to the Arlington ISD Athletics Center, located at 1001 East Division Street.
Lamar High School student Ja’kadyn Williams claimed that he and his cousin Shkayla Barnes arrived at the institution early. They claimed that an officer shoved them inside a room while a teacher locked the door.
Williams stated, “I feel that because I know the teacher who taught my first period, I felt protected. I had the impression that he would be there to assist me.
“They did everything to keep us safe,” Barnes remarked.
On Monday, beginning at noon, parents and guardians were permitted to begin picking up pupils.
Kita Bowles, a parent, claimed that she was at work when she received a text from her child informing her of the lockdown. She claimed that shortly after getting off the bus, her daughter entered a classroom for the lockdown.
“As a mother, my heart just about fell out. Although I’m relieved that she’s okay, I worry and pray for the other children “Bowles remarked. “I had to quit my job. My supervisor struggled to understand me since I was crying, but I told him that I had to leave. A shooting occurred at my child’s school.”
Arlington ISD will reunite parents & Lamar HS Students at the Athletics Center on Division St once the high school is cleared following shooting that left 2 students injured with 1 person in custody Monday morning. @wfaa @ArlingtonPD @LamarHigh @ArlingtonISD pic.twitter.com/wSiOyLb8Ku
— Scoop Jefferson (@scoopjefferson) March 20, 2023
Detectives from the Arlington ISD and the police will keep looking into this shooting.
Superintendent of Arlington ISD Dr. Marcelo Cavazos stated during the press conference that he and the Lamar High staff are devastated by the incident.
Andrew Hagman, the principal of Lamar High School, spoke about losing a kid there.
He described his regret as being “unfathomable” when he considered how senselessly a young life was lost. It’s amazing when it occurs at your own door. I’m still feeling numb.
Hagman expressed his gratitude that no additional pupils or employees were hurt. In an emergency, he claimed that everyone responded as best they could.
Tuesday, March 21 will see no classes at the high school. On Wednesday when pupils return to school, counselors will be on hand.
Officer Minton praised the campus police and the school system for their quick reaction to the emergency. He further added that warning authorities of any threats would be more beneficial.
According to him, there is no evidence that the shooting was publicly known before it happened. Yet, he pointed out that Arlington police has specialists that search for threats made online.
The issue, according to Minton, would arise if someone were to remark, “Well, I had heard something like that would happen, but I didn’t want to say anything. We are informed beforehand, allowing us to take action and gather the data we require.
As more information becomes available, this story will be updated.