tt_Targeted attack? cops probe mystery link between teen shooter and wounded teacher as motive remains unclear

A 15-year-old boy has died after shooting a teacher at his Texas high school, police said.

The teen opened fire on a female teacher at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde on Monday morning, the Comal County Sheriff’s Office said.

The teacher was taken to a hospital in San Antonio. Her current condition is unknown.

The gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot sound, according to Comal County spokesperson Cary Zayas.

Officials have not shared any details about the lead up to the shooting, but a  sophomore student claimed she heard five ‘bangs’ and ‘yelling’ as shots rang out.

The student, who had been walking down the hallway with her friend, told KSAT that her debate teacher shouted ‘get into a room, get into a room’ as the lockdown was initiated.

‘We all fled into a room and they said, “a teacher got shot and then somebody shot somebody else.” We’re just unaware of a lot of stuff right now,’ she told the outlet.

The high school was placed under lockdown and students were transported to nearby Bulverde Middle School, where they were reunited with their parents.

The FBI has personnel on the scene and is assisting state and local police, a spokesperson from the agency’s San Antonio field office said.

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A 15-year-old boy has died after shooting a female teacher at Hill Country College Preparatory High School (pictured) in Bulverde on Monday morning

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Although police say there is no ongoing threat to the community, first responders are still working the scene

Although police say there is no ongoing threat to the community, law enforcement investigators are still working the scene.

Hill Country College Preparatory will remain on lockdown as they continue their investigation.

The high school went into lockdown after an alarm was activated at 8.34am local time, Principal Julie Wiley said in a message to parents obtained by The New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung.

Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the school and discovered that the teacher had been shot.

A teenage boy who heard the shooting unfold described the incident as ‘sounding like a table slamming down’

‘I heard someone scream three seconds after and then “locks, lights, out of sight” sounded and then everyone ran out the back,’ he told KSAT.

Wiley sent another message to parents at 9.20am confirming students were in a secure area and the threat had been contained.

She advised that students could be picked up from the middle school by their parents.

‘Parents will need the following for Reunification: In order to pick up a student, parents and guardians MUST have a photo ID and be listed in Skyward as eligible to pick up the student. You will only be able to pick up your student,’ Wiley wrote.

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The public is urged to avoid the area as law enforcement carries out their investigation

The sheriff’s office, in a statement, acknowledged the impact the shooting has on the community.

‘We know this is incredibly difficult to hear. What we can tell you is this situation is contained, and there is no ongoing threat to students,’ the statement said.

‘We understand how scary this has been for families and our entire community.’

The public is urged to avoid the area and keep the roads clear for emergency crews.

Hill Country College Preparatory High School (HCCPHS), which is part of the Comal Independent School District, opened in August 2020.

It serves students in grades nine through 12 and offers a ‘variety of coursework aligned to college, career and military readiness and a science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) focus,’ according to the school website.

The school district promotes the HCCPHS community as a being a place that upholds a ‘culture of student inquiry, ownership, collaboration, and academic rigor.’

‘We facilitate authentic, quality learning experiences that advance students’ post-secondary pathways and develop real-world interpersonal expertise,’ the school’s website stated.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.