At Least 4 Injured in Dallas High School Shooting as Authorities Secure Campus: What You Need to Know

DALLAS — A shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School on Tuesday left three teenagers injured and another person grazed by gunfire. The incident, which occurred shortly after 1 p.m., triggered a significant police and emergency response, resulting in the evacuation of students.

Dallas Fire-Rescue officials received an active shooter call around 1:06 p.m. Officers responded swiftly to the scene, located off Langdon Road adjacent to Interstate 20. According to Dallas ISD, the shooting incident prompted police to act quickly to secure the school.

Authorities reported that four individuals were transported to a nearby hospital. Three of the victims, aged between 15 and 18, suffered gunshot wounds; the fourth may have been grazed. While some injuries were described as serious, others were considered non-life-threatening.

One of the victims was shot in the leg but is in stable condition. While a suspect has been identified, they remain at large as of the latest reports. Eyewitness accounts describe chaotic scenes with students fleeing the building and police securing the area. Helicopter footage showed multiple emergency vehicles surrounding the school.

Students were eventually gathered and evacuated to the bleachers near the football field, as classes were canceled for the rest of the week, according to Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde. Families were instructed to reunite with their children at Eagles Stadium, requiring photo identification for pickup.

As the reunification process concluded around 4:50 p.m., a statement from school district officials acknowledged the emotional toll of the event, offering on-site counseling services to students and staff.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson expressed his concern over the shooting, emphasizing that schools should be safe environments. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, who represents the area, voiced her heartbreak over the incident, noting it follows another shooting at the same school nearly a year prior. She stated that no child should feel unsafe at school and called for action to prevent such occurrences.

A moment of silence was observed on the Texas House floor, led by Rep. Aicha Davis, highlighting the urgent need for safety improvements in schools.

Witness accounts detail the fear and confusion during the shooting. One senior recalled seeing a friend get shot, while another parent recounted her son’s frantic call about the unfolding violence. Others described the chaos, with reports of shooting heard from the cafeteria.

Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins characterized the day as tragic for the Dallas Independent School District, commending the rapid response of law enforcement and emergency services. He reassured the community that the school was now secure.

This incident is not an isolated event; Wilmer-Hutchins High School was also the site of a shooting in April 2024 when a student brought a handgun on campus, leading to increased scrutiny of school security measures.

Dallas ISD officials have committed to re-evaluating security protocols and staff training following these incidents to enhance the safety of students and staff.