Police say the student who walked through a metal detector and obtained a gun Friday at Wilmer Hutchins High School in Dallas was 17-year-old Jakerian Rose Ewing.
Rose Ewing is being held in the Dallas County Jail on multiple charges. According to his arrest warrant affidavit, he used a .38 handgun to shoot another student in the leg. The injured student is still recovering.
On Tuesday night, the community rallied to demand answers in the wake of the shooting. The meeting was hosted by Dallas Independent School District Trustee Maxie Johnson.
Dallas ISD administrators were also present, but said they were there as a courtesy. They said they wanted to sit down and listen and withdraw the questions, but made it clear they had no intention of answering questions in their official capacity.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted the meeting was “urgent” in the wake of the shooting. Johnson, who was at the scene that day, said he wants members of the community to voice their concerns and ask questions. On Monday, students staged a walkout in protest at the way the shooting incident was handled and inadequate security.
“When I got that call, my whole body was in pain,” Johnson said. “I didn't know what to expect. I kept praying that it wouldn't be a fatal injury. And I was very upset because I wanted to know how my kid got a gun at school.”
Students told NBC 5 they abide by the clear bag policy and pass through metal detectors, but they don't understand how the gun got onto campus. Some parents said they were reluctant to send their children back to campus this week.
Dallas ISD said the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing, but did not provide further details.
One grandparent who attended tonight's meeting said she wanted to be reassured that the campus was safe.
“If we have to make staff changes, not everyone is going to be there every day, but let's make sure we make the right changes so our students can be there safely,” Shay Brewer said. I did.
Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde did not attend Monday night's meeting, but the director of school guidance was present to field questions for district leaders.
