UPDATE: Texas high school shooting leaves 10 dead
[Photo by: VOA News/YouTube]
At least 10 people were killed Friday after a shooter opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, located about 35 miles southeast of Houston. According to law enforcement officials, nine of the victims were students and one a teacher. The incident is the 22nd school shooting this year, and the third in the past eight days, as reported by CNN.
A 17-year-old male suspect, believed to be a student, is currently in custody. A second person, also believed to be a student, has been detained. The situation is now contained, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office: “One is in custody, a second one detained. An injured police officer is being treated, the extent of his injuries are unknown,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, tweeted.
It's also been reported that possible explosive devices—including pipe bombs and pressure cookers—were found at the school and off campus, the Santa Fe Independent School District tweeted. The district said the school was evacuated as law enforcement works to render the devices safe.
Just last month, students at Santa Fe High School joined others nationwide in taking a stand against gun violence by participating in a classroom walk-out. With signs that read “Santa Fe High School SAYS #NeverAgain,” they sat outside for 17 minutes of silence to honor the victims of February’s Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Some of the more visible student activists to emerge from the Parkland shooting, such as Emma González and David Hogg, are again calling attention to the gun control debate following the latest massacre in Texas. After participating in the student-led March For Our Lives protest, which called for an end to the epidemic of gun violence, González and Hogg shared their thoughts on Friday’s tragedy:
EMMA GONZÁLEZ
Santa Fe High, you didn’t deserve this. You deserve peace all your lives, not just after a tombstone saying that is put over you. You deserve more than Thoughts and Prayers, and after supporting us by walking out we will be there to support you by raising up your voices.
— Emma González (@Emma4Change) May 18, 2018
DAVID HOGG
We are fighting for you.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 18, 2018
Get ready for two weeks of media coverage of politicians acting like they give a shit when in reality they just want to boost their approval ratings before midterms.
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) May 18, 2018
See more responses to the shooting, including those of musicians, celebrities and others, below:
ANDY BIERSACK, BLACK VEIL BRIDES
While I understand the anger that many feel towards sayings such as “thoughts and prayers” in the face of these tragedy’s, I want to share my deepest sympathies with the families and friends affected by the school shooting in Texas today. We all know that something must be done.
— Andy Biersack (@andyblack) May 18, 2018
CRAIG MABBITT, ESCAPE THE FATE
“It's been happening everywhere,” Paige said. “I always felt like eventually it would happen here. I wasn't surprised, I was just scared.” Kids should not be expecting things like this to happen. My condolences to the victims and the families & friend affected by this tragedy.
— ᄃЯΛIG MΛBBIƬƬ (@craigmabbitt) May 18, 2018
JULIET SIMMS
Absolutely devastating news, my heart goes out to all of the families and victims�� https://t.co/k5aV3FM1WC
— Juliet Simms (@JulietSimmsALL) May 18, 2018
ELLEN DEGENERES
Sending all of my love to the students and families in Santa Fe, Texas. We can do better than this. We must do better than this.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 18, 2018
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES
To the students and faculty of Santa Fe High School, we are with you. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/3DYXOhmwsP
— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) May 18, 2018
TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS
We're devastated by the reports of a school shooting in Sante Fe, Texas. We will never get used to hearing news like this. We will never accept that this kind of violence is a reality we cannot change.
— TWLOHA (@TWLOHA) May 18, 2018
