Law enforcement said that there are 8-10 people dead after a shooting at a high school in Santa Fe, TX on Friday. They added that the majority killed were students.
They said one male student is in custody, and another student has been detained as a person-of-interest. Law enforcement officials have identified him as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagoutzis. He used a shotgun and a 38-revolver in the shooting.
Governor Abbott said that he got the weapons from his father.
Santa Fe ISD said that possible explosive devices have been located at the school and off campus. They are warning people in the area to avoid suspicious devices and to report them to police.
#UPDATE Possible explosive devices have been located at the school and off campus. Law enforcement is in the process of rendering them safe. School has been evacuated. Call 911 if you see any suspicious item. #HouNews #SantaFeISD
— Santa Fe ISD (@SantaFeISD) May 18, 2018
Law enforcement is still searching the building for more possible fatalities, and students that are still hiding.
Three people were taken to the hospital, and one person is in critical condition.
The Houston Chronicle reports that several students, along with an officer, were injured in the shooting.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office said called the shooting "a multiple-casualty incident". They said the scene is no longer active.
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
We are assisting @SantaFeISD with a multiple-casualty incident at Santa Fe High School. This is no longer an active shooting situation and the injured are being treated. #hounews pic.twitter.com/m7Wuauk9jk
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) May 18, 2018
ABC13 Houston reports that police were called to the school on 16000 Highway 6 shortly before 8 a.m. Friday. The school district confirms that there were several injuries in the shooting.
In aerial shots of the scene, you can see students being lined up outside the school. ABC13 said that their backpacks are being deposited for officials.
Witnesses told ABC13 that the shooting took place in an art class on campus between 7:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m.
"It was just a normal class day and we were just sitting there doing our work in first period, then all of a sudden, it was a fire drill," student Angelica Martinez said to CNN.
"So we followed the fire drill procedures, and then we went outside and we were all standing there. But not even five minutes later, we all start hearing gunshots, and everybody starts running. But, like, the teachers were telling us to stay put because we were all just running away."
A mother of a student said her child called her about the incident.
"She called frantically to say there was a fire drill and they were outside," Angie Martinez said. "And then she heard gunshots and that was an active shooter. So I told her, I said, 'Run baby, run and hide.' I said, 'Get out of there.' ... I said, 'Go wherever you need to go ... go to the gas station.' There's a gas station caddy corner to the school. ... 'Me and your dad are on our way. Me and your dad are on our way. Just run.'"
One student told KTRK his friend pulled the school fire alarm after spotting a suspect with a gun. Other students said they heard sounds similar to gunfire.
LifeFlight arrived on scene and was seen transporting several people.
Students are being brought to the Alamo Gym, where parents will be able to pick them up.
Shooting incident reported at Santa Fe High School in Galveston County. We have @HCSOTexas units enroute to assist. Large police presence, please avoid the area. #hounews #lesm
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 18, 2018
The Galveston County Sheriff's Office, ATF and Santa Fe Police all assisted in the shooting.
Other nearby school districts are took precautions.
We’re currently in protect mode as a precaution because of reports of a shooting at Santa Fe HS. Doors are locked & personnel are stationed at outer doors to let people in and out. No students allowed outside of building. Field trips are postponed until we go off of protect mode.
— Dickinson ISD (@DickinsonISD) May 18, 2018
About 1,400 students are enrolled at Santa Fe High School.
Senator John Cornyn released the following statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those injured and killed at Santa Fe School District right outside of Galveston. I did talk to the Deputy Sheriff, in the Sheriff’s Office there to try to offer some assistance and to see if there’s anything we can do to help. But until we know the facts and the circumstances, it’s hard to comment on what happened. And certainly, we all are standing by again and our hearts go out to those who are affected by this terrible tragedy.”
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