The 2018 Shooting in Santa Fe, Texas: What Time Did It All Happen?
The mass shooting that occurred on May 18, 2018, at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas marked the 22nd school shooting of the year, but sadly this one soon became the deadliest in the entire state of Texas. This heartbreaking event has left an indelible mark on the entire country and has sparked an ongoing conversation about gun control and school safety in our nation. Let’s take a look at what time the shooting happened, what took place during the shooting, and what the aftermath was.
What Time Did the Shooting Occur?
The shooting began at approximately 8:01 AM CST on May 18th, 2018. It is believed the shooter, 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, had entered the school with a shotgun and a .38-caliber revolver that had been stolen from his father earlier that morning. The attack lasted from 8:01 am until 8:23 am. During that period Pagourtzis had killed 10 people and 10 were injured. One of the victims was later identified as a teacher at the school and the other fatalities were students.
What Happened During the Shooting?
The authorities have stitched together a timeline based on witness accounts and video surveillance. The rampage began in an art class with Pagourtzis allegedly murdering a male student and then shooting multiple other students. He then allegedly went to the second floor of the school and it was here that he allegedly fired rounds into the hallway, injuring a female student.
After this, Pagourtzis went back to the art classroom and allegedly set off several smoke bombs before barricading himself in the room with a teacher held hostage. He eventually exited the building for unknown reasons and then the authorities arrived soon after.
The Aftermath of the Shooting
Once the police arrived, Pagourtzis was taken into custody without incident and refused to answer any questions. He was charged with 17 counts of capital murder and also 13 counts of aggravated assault of a public servant.
The entire nation mourned this tragedy and up to date, there have been vigils and memorials held in his honor. In December of 2018, the families of the victims settled with the Walton Family Foundation and the Santa Fe Independent School District for $3.9 million each.
Since then there have been multiple school safety initiatives initiated by the state of Texas, such as the installation of metal-detectors and active-shooter drills.
In conclusion, the 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas occurred at approximately 8:01 AM CST on May 18th, 2018. In the course of 22 minutes, 10 people were killed and 10 injured. The tragedy sparked a national debate about gun violence and school safety, leading to the implementation of safety protocols in the state of Texas. The families of the victims eventually settled for a collective $3.9 million in December of 2018. The tragedy will never be forgotten, but hopefully changes made in its wake will lead to a better, safer future for all.