Weatherford ISD mourns death of 18-year-old student killed near Fort Worth Stockyards
Students and teachers are mourning an 18-year-old Weatherford High School student who was shot and killed while celebrating his birthday near the Fort Worth Stockyards over the weekend.
Fort Worth police were called about 3 a.m. Oct. 6 to a parking lot in the 100 block of NW 24th Street, between its intersections with North Main Street and Ellis Avenue.
Joseph Steven Padilla, 18, of Weatherford, died at the scene of the shooting, according to Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office records.
Padilla’s 18th birthday was on Oct. 5 and he reportedly was out celebrating with friends when he was shot early Sunday morning. Several other people were injured in the shooting, and a suspect was arrested.
Padilla was a senior at Weatherford High. Weatherford ISD notified high school parents and staff on Sunday of Padilla’s death, a district spokesperson told the Star-Telegram. On Monday morning Oct. 7, Weatherford High School Principal Bill Tommaney notified students of Padilla’s death.
The district said counseling services are available for students, parents and school staff.
Four other victims of the shooting were taken to hospitals on Oct. 6, including one in critical condition, one in serious condition and two with minor injuries, according to MedStar. Police said one victim was taken to a hospital in a private vehicle.
The wounded victims are expected to survive.
Police records show that a suspect, 19-year-old Kevin Aguilar, was booked into the city jail shortly after 2 p.m. Sunday. He faces a murder charge in the case.
Investigators said that at least one shooter is believed to have fired into a crowd in the parking lot, but they have not described a motive for the shooting or said who the intended target was.
Homicide detectives are leading the investigation.
