Santa Fe High School shooting prompts response from UHCL community
Santa Fe High School shooting prompts response from UHCL community
On May 18, Dimitrios Pagourtzis was taken into custody after a mass shooting took place at Santa Fe High School that left eight students and two teachers dead. 13 others were wounded in what is considered the 22nd school shooting in the U.S. in 2018. Here's what happened and how the University of Houston-Clear Lake community responded.
On May 18, Dimitrios Pagourtzis was taken into custody after a mass shooting took place at Santa Fe High School that left eight students and two teachers dead. 13 others were wounded in what is considered the 22nd school shooting in the U.S. in 2018. Here's what happened and how the University of Houston-Clear Lake community responded.
Part 1: The facts
On May 18, 17-year-old student Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened fire inside Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, killing 10 people and leaving at least 13 others wounded.
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At around 7:32 a.m. law enforcement agencies begin to respond to an active-shooter situation taking place at the high school.
After about 25 minutes from the initial start of the shooting, the gunman surrenders to police. Police also found suspected explosive devices inside the school and at locations off campus.
Of those killed, eight were students and two were teachers, Santa Fe Independent School District Superintendent Leigh Wall said in a letter to parents.
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On May 19, officials identified the victims as teachers Glenda Perkins and Cynthia Tisdale, and students: Jared Black, Shana Fisher, Christian Riley Garcia, Aaron Kyle McLeod, Angelique Ramirez, Sabika Sheikh, Christopher Jake Stone and Kimberly Vaughan.
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Police records show the gunman told police that “he did not shoot students he did like so he could have his story told.” He was booked into the Galveston County Jail on one charge of capital murder of multiple persons and one charge of aggravated assault against a public servant. He was ordered to be held without bond.
Part 2: UHCL's response
UHCL President Ira K. Blake and the UHCL Police shared their condolences with the UHCL community while also pointing out on-campus resources.
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That same day, the UHCL Counseling Services office made counselors available for any student, faculty or staff who wanted to talk about the shooting.
On May 21, UHCL community members gathered at the Alumni Plaza to honor the lives of those who died during the shooting.
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Later that day, UHCL students gathered in for a "Stand with Santa Fe" #Enough demonstration at the UHCL Nature Trail Parking Lot.
Event organizer and Social Work Major Erica Solis, told The Signal the purpose of the demonstration was to show that the univeristy was touched by the lives lost.
It’s about showing the community that we care, that we support them. That sends a message.
Erica Solis, social work major
I don’t feel we are safe on campus and I don’t think a lot of people want to say that. I don’t mean to disrespect the administration but it’s just human nature Santa Fe had active shooter drills and even an active shooter plan. Yet, this happened.
Erica Solis, social work major
From the school administrators, I was expecting more a 'let's see what we can do on our end' type attitude. I was really wanting administrators to hear our concerns.
Erica Solis, social work major
Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a 40-page list of recommendations that covered school safety, mental health screenings and gun usage.
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Many of these recommendations would require legislative approval. Therefore, a special session of the Texas Legislature would need to be called.
Almost two weeks after the shooting, the families of the shooting victims filed a civil lawsuit against Pagourtzis’ parents. The lawsuit claims the couple owned the gun the shooter used during the attack. It also states Pagourtzis parents “utterly failed to teach their son any respect for life whatsoever.”