A 13-year-old male student allegedly shot a special education teacher at Highland Middle School in Hobbs, critically injuring him. Police confirmed the shooting details during a press conference on Sunday.
Authorities identified the victim as Kelly Matthews. The teacher is currently hospitalized in Lubbock. Meanwhile, authorities did not name the minor suspect.
Police said the student allegedly shot Matthews behind the school building at around 11:39 a.m., on Friday between class periods.
Authorities followed leads from the teacher’s statements to locate the student a few blocks away. The student attempted to escape, but officers caught up with him and arrested him.
Police said they later found a semi-automatic handgun away from the initial scene, along the suspect’s path. They also recovered a knife near the spot where the student had been prior to the shooting incident.
First responders took Matthews to a hospital in Hobbs before transferring him to a hospital in Lubbock. The teacher was the only person injured in the incident and remains in critical condition after going through multiple surgeries.
Authorities said the victim does not appear to have been specifically targeted and was just caught up in the events.
They do not believe anyone else was involved in the shooting, police added.
The suspect is facing the following charges:
- Aggravated assault of school personnel,
- Aggravated battery on school personnel,
- Shooting threats,
- Unlawfully carrying of a deadly weapon,
- Interference with school operations tampering with evidence,
- Resisting, evading and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Police said they are considering filing additional charges.
As the investigation continues, authorities are asking the public to come forward with any information that could help. They also plan to increase police presence at all schools, particularly at the middle school.
