Law enforcement sources confirm at least 8 people are dead following a shooting inside Santa Fe High School.
A suspect is in custody. According to law enforcement agencies, it appears the shooter is a student.
The school district just issued the following statement: “This morning an incident occurred at the high school involving an active shooter. The situation is active, but has been contained. There have been confirmed injuries. Details will be released as we receive updated information. Law enforcement will continue to secure the building and initiate all emergency management protocols to release and move students to another location. All other campuses are operating under their regular schedules.
At this time, students from the high school are being transported by SFISD transportation to the Alamo Gym located at 13306 Highway 6. Parents may reunite with their students at this location.
The district will continue to keep you updated as information is available. Safety and communication are our top priorities.”
Witnesses say the shooting took place in an art class on campus between 7:30 and 7:45 a.m.
Santa Fe Police, Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, ATF and FBI agents have all responded to the school at 16000 Highway 6.
Students were earlier lined up outside the school, and their backpacks were taken up by law enforcement.
Life Flight was also called to the scene.
Shooting incident reported at Santa Fe High School in Galveston County. We have @HCSOTexas units enroute to assist. Large police presence, please avoid the area. #hounews #lesm
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 18, 2018
A student tells the media that she saw a gunman shoot a girl. This is an unconfirmed report.
Sophomore Leila Butler tells that at about 7:45 a.m. fire alarms went off and students left their classrooms. She reports some students believe they’ve heard shots fired. She is currently sheltering with other students and teachers near campus.
Other nearby school districts are putting protective measures in place as well.
We’re currently in protect mode as a precaution because of reports of a shooting at Santa Fe HS. Doors are locked & personnel are stationed at outer doors to let people in and out. No students allowed outside of building. Field trips are postponed until we go off of protect mode.
— Dickinson ISD (@DickinsonISD) May 18, 2018
Santa Fe is roughly 36 miles outside of Houston. According to the Texas Education Agency, the high school enrollment is about 1,400 students.
