A 15-year-old student shot a teacher at a Texas high school before fatally shooting himself Monday morning, authorities said, in an incident that prompted a campus lockdown and emergency response.
The shooting occurred at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, according to the Comal County Sheriff’s Office. No other injuries were reported.
Officials said the student died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The teacher was transported to a hospital in San Antonio, but authorities did not immediately provide an update on her condition.
Investigators have not yet determined what led to the shooting.
The school said it was placed on lockdown at 8:34 a.m., shortly before the start of classes. Students described hearing multiple gunshots and screams coming from inside the building.
One student told local television station KSAT that loud bangs were heard from a second-floor classroom, followed by panic. Another student said she heard several shots before a teacher instructed students to move into a classroom for safety.
Following the incident, students were evacuated by bus to a nearby middle school, where parents gathered to be reunited with their children. Some parents were seen praying as they waited in long lines.
Jesse Lopez, a parent, told KSAT that returning to school would be difficult for his daughter.
“She’ll be afraid to go back,” he said, noting concerns about how the incident would affect her.
Hill Country College Preparatory High School is part of the Comal Independent School District and focuses on preparing students for college through programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The school, which opened in 2020, currently serves about 260 students in grades nine through 12.
School shootings involving students continue to raise concerns about safety, mental health and early intervention in educational settings. While incidents involving only one victim are less common than broader attacks, they still have a significant emotional and psychological impact on students, families and staff.
The response by school officials, including lockdown procedures and coordinated evacuation, reflects standard safety protocols designed to minimize further harm. However, such incidents often lead to renewed discussions about preventive measures, including threat assessment, access to counseling services and campus security.
As authorities investigate the motive behind the shooting, attention is likely to focus on whether warning signs were present and what steps, if any, could have been taken to prevent the tragedy.
AP
