A 17-year-old suspect connected to Tuesday’s shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas is now in custody, according to Dallas County jail records.
Tracy Haynes was booked just before 9:30 p.m. on a charge of aggravated assault related to a mass shooting. His bond was set at $600,000. As of Tuesday night, it was unclear whether he had retained legal representation.
The arrest came hours after gunfire erupted at the southern Dallas campus, injuring four students and prompting a massive law enforcement response. The Dallas Morning News reported that three of the students, ranging in age from 15 to 18, suffered gunshot wounds. A fourth student sustained a musculoskeletal injury.
Haynes’ aunt, Cynthia Haynes, told The Dallas Morning News she was stunned to hear her nephew was involved. “He came from a good family,” she said. “He was not raised like that.”
The shooting comes almost exactly one year after a similar incident at the same school, raising new questions about ongoing safety issues and the effectiveness of the district’s security protocols.
Dallas Fire-Rescue said officers were dispatched around 1 p.m. to the campus on Langdon Road. More than 20 units responded.
School security under renewed scrutiny
At a press conference held later that afternoon, Dallas ISD officials said the shooting did not result from a failure in existing safety protocols. According to Assistant Police Chief Christina Smith, the weapon was not brought into the building during “regular intake time.”
The campus has metal detectors and a clear backpack policy. Following last year’s shooting, the district had vowed to retrain staff, increase security personnel, and enforce safety policies more strictly.
In a statement Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott said his office had spoken with Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde and Dallas ISD Chief Albert Martinez to offer state support.
“Our hearts go out to the victims of this senseless act of violence,” Abbott said. “Since I’ve been Governor, Texas has provided over $3 billion in school safety funding. This session, I am seeking an additional $500 million to further safeguard schools across the state.”
As the investigation continues, parents and community members are once again grappling with the harsh reality of school shootings becoming an all-too-familiar occurrence. Danielle Curtis, whose daughter was at the campus during last year’s incident, said she wasn’t surprised by Tuesday’s shooting.
“Here we are again. Same time of year, same thing,” she told The Dallas Morning News.
To stay informed about gun violence in Texas and how it impacts your community, visit Gun Violence Watch. Your awareness is a key step toward making a difference.
