Gunshots in Santa Fe High School of Texas killed 10 people

Texas, May 19: America is once again grappling with the plague of school gun violence after 10 people were shot dead and at least 10 others injured when a gunman entered his Texas school and opened fire.

 

Shots rang out at Santa Fe High School on Friday morning, in what would become the 22nd school shooting in the US this year. Students recalled hearing a fire alarm and thinking it was a drill until they heard the sound of gunshots.

Police suspect that 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, who witnesses said was wearing a trench coat in a manner that immediately called to mind the 1999 school shooting in Columbine, Colorado, entered an art class and opened fire with what officials believe was his father’s shotgun and .38 revolver.

The teenager is currently being held by police on capital murder charges namely charges that carry the death penalty. Texas governor Greg Abbott said two other people were being questioned as “persons of interest”.

The suspected shooter was said to have been a former American football player and danced in a religious group at the school, located 40 miles from Houston.

The school district said possible explosive devices had been located at the school and off the campus. Law enforcement officials were attempting to make them safe.

At least 10 people including one police officer were taken to hospital in the wake of the shooting. The police officer was injured attempting to engage the shooter, according to Harris County sheriff Ed Gonzalez. The extent of his injuries is still unknown.