9 students, 1 teacher killed in shooting at Texas high school

Gunman identified as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis

SANTA FE, Texas – Nine students and one teacher were killed and ten were injured Friday in a shooting at Santa Fe High School, authorities said. 

Police also investigated explosive devices found at the scene and nearby, KPRC reported.

Authorities identified the suspect as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said the school shooting suspect had a shotgun and a .38 revolver, and that both belong to suspect's father.

Pagourtzis and another person, who are both students at the school, were taken into custody after shots were fired inside just before 8 a.m. A third person is also being questioned, authorities said.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said a Santa Fe Independent School District police officer was critically injured in the shooting.

Pagourtzis is charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a peace officer.

Officials at UTMB Hospital in Galveston said the facility had received at least three patients from the scene, including the Santa Fe ISD police officer, a 16-year-old boy and a middle-aged woman. The officer is listed in critical condition. The two others suffered gunshot wounds to the leg and are listed in good condition.

The school is located on State Highway 6 near Morning Glory Drive.

Video from KRPC's helicopter showed a white sheet draped over something in front of a door to the school.

One student said that he heard as many as eight gunshots. Another student reported hearing several gunshots before hearing alarms and being told to evacuate.

"I never thought it would happen here," said Tyler Turner.

"It hurts my heart to see this happening," another student said. "I don't feel safe in this town anymore ... There was nothing we could do but run."

Parents were seen gathering at a nearby gas station where they were trying to connect with their children. Dozens of students could be seen standing in lines and emptying their backpacks.

Santa Fe ISD officials said in tweets that explosive devices were found at the school and at off-campus locations.

"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," authorities tweeted. "There have been explosive devices found in the high school and surrounding areas adjacent to the high school. Because of the threat of explosive items, community members should be on the look-out for suspicious packages and anything that looks out of place."

Several law enforcement agencies were at a home on State Highway 6, about three miles away from the school. A Harris County deputy at the scene said, "there's a bomb" at the house, according to KPRC2 reporter Jake Reiner. A bomb squad is at the scene, Reiner said.

KPRC2 reporter Joel Eisenbaum said multiple law enforcement agencies were also at another home in a neighborhood about four miles away from the school. It was not immediately clear if that home was connected to the shooting.

Officials at the Dickinson Independent School District, which is nearby, confirmed schools there are also in a protected mode as a precaution. The following statement was tweeted:

"We're currently in protect mode as a precaution because of reports of a shooting at Santa Fe HS. Doors are locked and 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."

Abbott has ordered flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the victims of the shooting.

Survivors from the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tweeted their support Friday for those affected by the shooting in Texas.

"My heart is so heavy for the students of Santa Fe High School," Jaclyn Corin posted. "It's an all too familiar feeling no one should have to experience. I am so sorry this epidemic touched your town - Parkland will stand with you now and forever."

Some student-activists who have fought for stricter gun control legislation both in Florida and nationwide criticized President Donald Trump after the shooting.

Cameron Kasky slammed Trump while responding to the president's tweet that stated, "School shooting in Texas. Early reports not looking good. God bless all!"

"Treating it like a sports game you sick bastard," Kasky wrote.

In another tweet, Kasky said, "At least 8 students have been shot and killed at Santa Fe High School. Prepare to watch the NRA boast about getting higher donations. Prepare to see students rise up and be called 'civil terrorists' and crisis actors. Prepare for the right-wing media to attack the survivors."


About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.