Weatherford High School Press Release 11-17-2020

The following is a joint statement from Weatherford ISD and the Weatherford Police Department regarding today’s situation at Weatherford High School.

We appreciate your patience as the Weatherford ISD, the Weatherford Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies from Parker County worked through a situation that occurred outside of the high school campus this afternoon.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2020 around 2pm, information was given to school resource officers that there was a white male juvenile believed to be a runaway from Parker County at Weatherford High School. Officers were told the juvenile suspect was seen with what appeared to be a handgun in his waistband hidden under his t-shirt. Officers were given further information as they arrived on scene that the suspect was near one of the Weatherford High School outbuildings, not the main building itself. Campus administrators were notified, and the high school campus went into an immediate lockdown for the protection and safety of students, staff, and teachers.

After arriving on scene, officers went to the area of the high school campus where the suspect was last known to be and visually observed the suspect who then fled on foot into a wooded area at the perimeter of the high school. The suspect was seen by officers to be armed with a handgun and to be making threats to himself.

As the suspect was approached by officers, he sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his abdomen. The suspect was quickly apprehended and taken to an awaiting ambulance where he was then taken to a trauma hospital outside of Parker County. The juvenile will remain under police observation until it is determined what criminal charges may or may not be filed against him.

During the situation, students and staff were safe within all WISD buildings on the high school campus. At approximately 3:15pm, the lockdown was lifted, and students were dismissed for the day.

There is no indication at this time that any of the high school students or staff were threatened by the suspect or were in any danger as a result of the suspect being on the campus grounds prior to law enforcement’s arrival.

From WISD: We understand this situation may have been stressful for your child. As an added measure of care, we are providing families with access to counselors this evening. In addition, counselors will be available to assist students and staff members on campus tomorrow. To reach a counselor this evening, please call 817-598-2850 or text to [email protected]

Published November 17, 2020 Print