West Texas girl intended to kill stepbrother at school, Alpine police say

The main target of a 14-year-old girl who wounded another student before killing herself at Alpine High School last week was her stepbrother, investigators have said.

The girl, who has not been publicly identified, brought a 9 mm semiautomatic handgun from home to school with the intention of killing her 14-year-old stepbrother and then herself, according to a news release from the Alpine Police Department.

The girl went into a restroom to get the gun from a backpack when another student surprised her. The 14-year-old shot the other girl once in the lower body and then turned the gun on herself.

She was pronounced dead at the scene from a self-inflicted shot to the head.

Five rounds were fired, according to the news release.

The dead girl’s family moved to the area about six months ago, Sheriff Ronny Dodson had told The Associated Press.

All 290 students at the high school have been interviewed as a precaution, and officials determined bullying wasn’t a factor.

However, the investigation is ongoing.

“As this incident unfolded, the leadership, guidance, service, professionalism and protection given by the principal, school counselor, office staff and teachers was amazing,” Police Chief Russell Scown said in a statement. “One of the strongest and courageous of all is the young lady wounded that day. The actions of this young lady, although unintentional, thwarted a much deeper tragedy.”

Alpine is about 70 miles north of Big Bend National Park.

@bryanbastible

This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 8:29 PM with the headline "West Texas girl intended to kill stepbrother at school, Alpine police say."