A Texas high school teacher was taken to a hospital after being shot by a 15-year-old student, who then fatally shot himself, authorities said Monday.
No other injuries were reported in the shooting at the San Antonio school, and the Comal County Sheriff’s Office has not said what may have led to the shooting.
The condition of the Hill Country College Preparatory High School teacher was not immediately clear, as the sheriff’s office did not have an update.
The male student died on the scene, the sheriff’s office said. A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told The Associated Press that the student died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
The school said on social media that it was placed on lockdown at 8:34 a.m., and the bell schedule listed online shows that classes start at 8:55 a.m.
One student told KSAT-TV that they heard loud bangs coming from a room on the second floor and then heard screaming. Another student told the TV station that they heard five shots and yelling before her debate teacher told students to get inside a classroom.
Students were bused to a nearby middle school, where parents stood in long lines, some praying, as they waited to be reunited.
Jesse Lopez, a parent, told KSAT-TV that it will be difficult to tell his daughter that she has to eventually go back to class.
“For one, she has autism, and she’ll be afraid to go back, she’ll be real afraid to go back,” Lopez said.
The high school, which is part of the Comal Independent School District, focuses on academics and skills to prepare students for college, according to the district’s website. Its curriculum is centered on science, technology, engineering, arts and math, known as STEAM, with electives that include cybersecurity and engineering.
The school opened in August 2020 with a freshman class. It has since grown to offer grades nine through 12 and as of this school year has about 260 students enrolled, according to the district’s website.
If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
