Houston Police Chief Troy Finner confirmed during a press briefing that one school administrator, a white male, was shot. He was transported to a local hospital, but the school said his injuries are “non-life-threatening” and he is expected to level the hospital today. No students were injured during the incident.
Police have detained one suspect, a 25-year-old Black male who surrendered without incident and was a former student at the school. Finner said that the school is now “secure” and students are beginning to go back inside or reunite with parents that have gathered at a nearby staging area.
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The school said the school administrator has “non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to be released from the hospital later today,” according to KTRK.
Once he and fellow students realized it was a real shooter, “we were all scared.”
“It was tough.” he said.
Another student cited the recent active shooter training at YES Prep, saying that it was “scary” that they had just drilled for this possibility.
“And for it to happen now…school is not safe for anybody anymore,” she said.
He added that it was very important for the people who had experiences like these to seek help, either through the school or other agencies.
“We want to make sure the kids get counseling,” he said.
They said that the drill was helpful in getting to safety during the incident at the school today.
Both students said they never thought a real shooting would happen at their school.
The shooting victim is a white male with a gunshot wound to his back, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said. He added that the victim is in “serious condition.”
Several students told local news reporters that the school principal was shot, but the identity of the victim has not yet been officially confirmed.
Finner said the shooter in custody is a 25-year-old Black male who was a former student of the school. He shot through the glass of the front door with a rifle and fired at the employee, Finner said.
The shooter’s motive is unclear, as the investigation is still ongoing.
Finner added that the school is currently “secure.”
The student, a seventh grader, also said during an interview with ABC 13 that teachers directed him to stay back and out of sight inside his classroom. Then, police officers came in and directed the students to put their hands up and exit the building, he said.
“Police are on campus with a suspect in custody who opened fire inside the school. No students have been injured,” the statement said.
Students are being transported to W. Fuqua and Hiram Clarke to be picked up.
KHOU said one person was shot, but there is no word on who that person is or their condition.
The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association tweeted that firefighters and paramedics are “on the scene treating and transporting.”
Authorities still haven’t confirmed reports of a shooting on the school’s campus. However, they confirmed that they have one suspect in custody Friday afternoon and are still searching for other possible suspects.
Video taken near the school and posted on Twitter by ABC 13 reporter Erica Simon showed cars lining streets believed to be near the school and several law enforcement vehicles driving past.
Simon wrote in the tweet’s caption that students were seen crying at the school.
The scene is still active, as officers search the school for other possible suspects, police said.
