SOME 10 people are dead and 10 more wounded after a shooting at a high school in the town of Santa Fe, Texas, governor Greg Abbott has said.
He said yesterday’s shooting was “one of the most heinous attacks that we’ve ever seen in the history of Texas schools”.
Abbott said explosive devices including a molotov cocktail had been found in the suspected shooter’s home and a vehicle, as well as around the school and nearby.
Two law enforcement officials have identified a person in custody in the Houston-area school shooting as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis.
The suspect said he originally intended to commit suicide but gave himself up and told authorities he did not have the courage to take his own life, the governor said.
Abbott said there are “one or two” other people of interest being interviewed about the shooting.
He said the suspect used a shotgun and .38 revolver, which he obtained from his father.
Abbott said both weapons were owned legally by the suspect’s father. It is not clear whether the father knew his son had taken them.
He said: “We look to God to give the first responders, as well as the victims and the families, the guidance they need in the coming days and weeks.”
Abbott said he will organise meetings around the state to discuss preventing further shootings. The district confirmed a number of injuries. A school police officer was shot, officials said, but there was no immediate word on his condition.
Vice President Mike Pence said he and President Donald Trump were briefed on the shooting. Pence said the students, families, teachers and all those affected should know: “You’re in our prayers and I know you are in the prayers of the American people.”
Trump added in a tweet that that early reports were “not looking good. God bless all!”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here