A shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon left four students injured and a community once again gripped by fear. The incident unfolded just after 1 p.m., when chaos erupted inside the school, prompting students and staff to run for cover as shots rang out.
Four male students, aged 15 to 18, were hospitalized following the attack. Three suffered gunshot wounds while the fourth sustained a musculoskeletal injury, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue. Their injuries range from serious to non-life-threatening.
Authorities quickly identified the suspect as 17-year-old Tracy Haynes, who later turned himself in to law enforcement.
He has since been charged with four counts of aggravated assault in a mass shooting and is currently being held on a $600,000 bond in the Dallas County Jail.
This marks the second shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in just over a year, intensifying concerns about school safety and the presence of firearms on campus. Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde voiced frustration and sadness during a press briefing, saying, “This is becoming way too familiar, and it should not be.”
WATCH: Press conference on the incident at Wilmer-Hutchins High School with Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D. pic.twitter.com/g9hsWDlPbr
— Dallas ISD (@dallasschools) April 15, 2025
School officials stated that the gun did not enter the building during the routine morning intake period, when all students are screened through metal detectors. How the weapon ultimately made it into the school remains under investigation.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Dallas ISD canceled classes for the remainder of the week and deployed crisis counselors to support students, staff, and families grappling with the traumatic event.
Law enforcement continues to investigate the circumstances that led to the violence, while community members demand answers and increased protections for students.
Governor Greg Abbott expressed condolences to those affected and emphasized the ongoing need to ensure school safety across Texas.
As Wilmer-Hutchins High School tries to recover from another act of violence, the pain is still raw and the questions are many. For the families affected, and for a community left shaken, one thing is certain - the conversation around gun violence is far from over.
