Sante Fe school shooting: 10 dead in US school massacre

A 17-year-old gunman used his father’s weapons to kill 10 people at a Texas high school, and he also had a cache of explosives.

Law enforcement officers respond at Santa Fe High School, Texas. Picture: KTRK-TV ABC13 via AP

Ten people are dead, including nine students, after a 17-year-old gunman used his father’s guns to open fire at a high school near Houston, Texas.

The gunman, identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, was also student at the Santa Fe High School was injured but survived. He is under arrest while a second student is also being questioned by authorities.

Police say they have also found homemade explosive devices — pipe bombs and pressure cookers — both in and outside the school grounds.

The school gunman, Dimitrios Pagourtzis. Picture: Galveston County Sheriff

The school shooting, the 22nd in the US so far this year, began at around 7.45am when the gunman walked into an art class and reportedly yelled ‘surprise,’ before opening fire. The school fire alarm was activated and students evacuated the school with many not realising initially that a shooting was underway.

“I was in the history hallway, and as soon as we heard the alarms, everybody just started leaving following the same procedure as ... (a) practice fire drill,” student Dakota Schrader said. “And next thing you know, we just hear ... three gunshots, loud explosions, and all the teachers are telling us to run.”

Another student, 15 year old Kali Reeves said she heard gunshots and ran for her life.

“All I know is several are dead, a friend of mine was shot,” Ms Reeves said. “I know one girl is dead, she took a shot to the head. It’s heartbreaking, I can’t believe that it’s happening.”

Authorities initially said between eight and ten people had died, although officials were later reported to have said that 10 people had died, including nine students and one teacher.

On April 30, Mr Pagourtzis posted a photo to Facebook of a T-shirt with the words, “Born to Kill” written across it. Witnesses said he wore it during the shooting.

An Instagram account under the same name shows a photo of handgun and a knife while another shows a shooting arcade computer game.

Pagourtzis’ Instagram account followed several gun-related accounts including sites including ‘Guns Fanatics’, ‘Gun Lovers’ and ‘Guns Glory.’

Texas governor Greg Abbott sad Mr Pagourtzis wrote in his journals that he wanted to take his own life during the shooting.

“We also know information already that the shooter has information contained in journals on his computer and his cell phone that he said that not only did he want to commit the shooting, but he wanted to commit suicide after the shooting,” he said.

“As you probably know, he gave himself up and admitted at the time he didn’t have the courage to commit the suicide, that he wanted to take his own life earlier.”

One is in custody, a second one detained. An injured police officer is being treated, the extent of his injuries are unknown.

— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) May 18, 2018

Mr Abbott said the shotgun and the pistol used in the shooting belonged to the student’s father.

“Neither of these weapons were owned or legally possessed by the shooter,” Mr Abbott said, noting instead they were legally owned by his father.

“I have no information if the father was aware the son had taken these weapons.”

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said earlier a second student — described as ‘a person of interest’ was being detained and questioned. US media reported that the detained student was suspected of being an accomplice although was not directly involved in the attack.

Two policemen are believed to be among the 10 people who were injured in today’s shooting, with one listed as being in critical condition.

Released radio communications reveal police calling for reinforcements as shots are fired in the background from inside the art class on campus.

To the students and faculty of Santa Fe High School, we are with you. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/3DYXOhmwsP

— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) May 18, 2018

Authorities warned people to keep away from suspicious packages after several improvised explosive devices were found after the shooting, some on campus and some off campus.

“There have been explosive devices found in the high school and surrounding areas adjacent to the high school,” Walter Braun, chief of the Santa Fe independent School District Police Department, said.

The Santa Fe High School, 36 miles south east of Houston has around 1400 students, many of whom have participated in the walkouts and the protests against gun laws which have sprouted across the US since the Florida shooting.

Police were reportedly search a van where they believe the rudimentary bombs may have been constructed.

We are assisting @SantaFeISD with a multiple-casualty incident at Santa Fe High School. This is no longer an active shooting situation and the injured are being treated. #hounews pic.twitter.com/m7Wuauk9jk

— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) May 18, 2018

The President Donald Trump said the country grieved for the loss of life in Texas.

“This has been going on too long in our country,” Mr Trump said.

“My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools, and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves, and to others.” “Everyone must work together at every level of government to keep our children safe. May god heal the injured and may god comfort the wounded and may god be with the victims and with the victims’ families. Very sad day.”

Governor Abbott described the shooting as “one of the most heinous attacks that we’ve ever seen in the history of Texas schools.”

“It’s impossible to describe the magnitude of the evil of someone who would attack innocent children in a school,” he said.

Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia