Boy shot himself outside Weatherford High School as officers neared, authorities say
A youth shot himself with a handgun outside Weatherford High School on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Weatherford police said they were called about 2 p.m. to an on-campus building separate from the school’s main structure after the boy, a runaway, was seen with a gun under his shirt. Police did not release the boy’s age or say whether he is a student at the school in the 2100 block of Bethel Road.
The boy ran to woods near the school and shot himself in the abdomen as officers approached, police wrote in a news release. He was taken to a hospital. Police did not release his condition.
Campus administrators were notified when officers became aware of the situation, and the school went into lockdown, police said. The lockdown was lifted about 3:15 p.m.
There is no indication that students or staff were threatened or were in danger from the armed boy, police said.
The boy will remain under police observation until prosecutors determine whether charges will be filed.
Schools officials said counselors will be available on campus or by telephone to help students who found the situation stressful. To reach a counselor outside school hours, call 817-598-2850 or text wisdcares@weatherfordisd.com.
This story was originally published November 17, 2020 at 4:12 PM.
