Police shot at a 16-year-old student holding a gun Monday morning at a suburban Dallas charter school as they negotiated with him to put down his weapon, authorities said.
The student, whose identity is being withheld because of his age, was taken to a hospital in stable condition, police in Mesquite, Texas, said. Other details about the teenager’s injuries were not immediately provided.
The shooting occurred inside an office at the Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy’s middle school and high school campus before 9 a.m. local time. School was in session, and panicked children were led outside and later reunited with their families at a nearby Baptist church.
Students walk out of Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in Mesquite, Texas, on Monday.NBC DFW
Mesquite police were called to the school on a report of an active shooter. Administrators said they were attempting to calm the armed student until officers arrived.
The officers found him alone in an office and “provided verbal commands to the suspect. At some point during the negotiations, three officers fired at the suspect,” police said. “The suspect then complied with commands and was taken into custody.”
Neither the officers nor any other students or staff were hurt.
The Mesquite officers who fired were described as an eight-year veteran, a five-year veteran and an officer-in-training with “multiple years of service” from another agency. Their identities were not released.
Possible charges were not immediately announced in connection with the incident. Police said their investigation was ongoing, with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office conducting a separate and independent review.
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“We’re just thankful a tragedy was avoided and nothing worse occurred,” Travis Block, a spokesperson with the Mesquite Fire Department, said at a news conference.
The school said in a statement that the “situation was contained” thanks to “swift actions of our staff” and a safety plan.
“Today, those procedures were tested, and they worked as intended,” school district Superintendent Shubham Pandey said.
The school expected to reopen on Tuesday.
“We certainly understand students have experienced some level of trauma,” the school said on Facebook. “Our students and staff are our ultimate priority.”