Here’s what Texas Governor Greg Abbott said about shooting at Timberview High School
Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday pledged state assistance for Arlington following a shooting at Timberview High School in the Mansfield school district.
“I’ve had the opportunity to talk to the mayor in Arlington, Texas and to talk to Director Steve McCraw, the director of Texas Department of Public Safety, to make sure that the state of Texas is using the Texas Department of Public Safety as well as any and all other tools to assist Arlington and the surrounding communities, all of which have law enforcement fully engaged in this process,” Abbott said at the start of a news conference in Mission, Texas.
Four people were injured after a student opened fire during a fight in a classroom, according to police. Arlington Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye said one student and an adult staff member were shot. A second student was grazed by a bullet. An adult who fell and experienced minor injuries declined treatment, he said.
Two of the patients are in good condition, according to a Medical City Arlington hospital spokesman. A 15-year-old student who was shot had surgery and is in the intensive care unit.
State Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat, called the shooting a “shocking tragedy.” The school is in his Grand Prairie district.
“First and foremost, let’s all pray for the four victims. ... We pray for their complete recovery,” he said.
Abbott said the suspect, who was in custody Wednesday afternoon, was illegally in possession of a gun. Police on Wednesday said they located a .45-caliber handgun on a street in Grand Prairie believed to have been used in the shooting. The firearm is being turned over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for ballistics testing.
“The shooter, under Texas law, it is illegal for the shooter to either possess or to have purchased the gun that was used in this crime,” Abbott said, later adding: “Very importantly with regard to the school shooting that took place today, as well as with really any school shooting that I’m aware of, the gun that was possessed by the shooter was possessed illegally.”
Under Texas law, you must be at least 21 to publicly carry a handgun with or without a license. It’s generally against state law to sell, rent, lease or give a firearm to a person younger than 18, according to Giffords Law Center. It’s a defense from prosecution if a child’s parent or legal guardian gave permission. Guns are also generally prohibited at schools.
“The number one job of our elected officials is to keep Texans safe. Today, Greg Abbott and Texas Republicans once again failed — because their dangerous gun laws are making it easier than ever for just about anyone to get a gun,” Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement. “How many tragedies is it going to take before Texas Republicans put aside their agenda and start putting our families first? We are long past the time for thoughts and prayers. We can’t afford to keep waiting.”
State officials offered prayers in written statements.
“Please join me in praying for the students and staff of Timberview High School as we follow this tragic situation that took place this morning in Arlington,” Sen. Brian Birdwell, a Granbury Republican, wrote on Twitter. “Our thoughts are with the injured victims, and we continue to pray for full recovery for these individuals.”
Abbott’s full remarks
Abbott was in Mission for a news conference related to the Texas-Mexico border. Read Abbott’s remarks on the Wednesday shooting made at the event’s start:
“There was a shooting that took place in a high school, located in Arlington, Texas. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to the mayor in Arlington, Texas and to talk to Director Steve McCraw, the director of Texas Department of Public Safety, to make sure that the state of Texas is using the Texas Department of Public Safety as well as any and all other tools to assist Arlington and the surrounding communities, all of which have law enforcement fully engaged in this process.
Let me just give you the latest update that I have right now, knowing that facts are changing on the ground as we speak. According to director McCraw, the school is safe and secure the shooter has been identified, and there is a search for the shooter. We know the shooter’s car. We feel confident that the shooter will be located very, very soon.
The shooter, under Texas law, it is illegal for the shooter to either possess or to have purchased the gun that was used in this crime. What I understand, just very briefly, is that a fight broke out inside the school and the shooter pulled out the gun that he had illegally and shot several people. We are still awaiting word about exactly how many people were shot. I don’t have any information about any loss of life, but it would be completely premature to make any comment whatsoever about the lives of anyone.
What we can say, obviously, is this, and that is we grieve for everyone who has been harmed or impacted by this in any way whatsoever. And we as state, working with the local communities, will do everything possible to ensure that the shooter is swiftly and effectively prosecuted.”
This story was originally published October 6, 2021 at 2:02 PM.