Shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School Sparks Panic, Raises Renewed Safety Concerns
A shooting incident at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas on Tuesday afternoon triggered chaos, fear, and renewed criticism over campus security in the Dallas Independent School District. Police confirmed the incident occurred around 1 p.m. at the school located in the 5500 block of Langdon Road. More than 20 police units responded to the scene, but as of late Tuesday afternoon, it remained unclear if anyone was injured. The suspected shooter was still at large.
Dallas ISD officials acknowledged the incident, confirming that emergency protocols had been activated. A reunification center was quickly established at the school’s Eagle Stadium, where anxious parents gathered to retrieve their children. “Safety protocols have been implemented, and we are asking everyone to refrain from coming to campus,” the district said in a post on X.
Several students described hearing multiple gunshots and chaotic scenes as students ran for cover or fled the building. Senior Adonta Jackson recalled hearing about eight shots before screams echoed through the hallways. “I just hope and pray everyone is okay,” he said.
Freshman Salondra Ibanez, who was in biology class at the time, described ducking behind her teacher’s desk and texting her family. Her aunt, Laura Mendoza, left her car on the highway and ran a mile to reach the school. “They’re shooting up the school, come help me,” Ibanez told her in a panic.
Students reported huddling in classrooms and calling loved ones, unsure of what would happen next. “The first thought in my mind was that this was gonna be my last day here,” said sophomore Abby Falcon.
The shooting comes just over a year after a similar incident at Wilmer-Hutchins, when a student brought a gun to school and shot another in a classroom. Following that 2024 event, district officials pledged reforms, including retraining staff, better backpack checks, and increased use of metal detectors. But many parents and students say those changes were either short-lived or never fully enforced.
“It’s not really a safe school to go to,” said senior Sevynn Jones. “We don’t have good security.”
Danielle Curtis, whose daughter attended the school during last year’s shooting, said she wasn’t surprised by the latest incident. “Here we are again. Same time of year, same thing,” she said. Curtis pulled her daughter from the school last year and says the district hasn’t done enough.
As the investigation continues, questions over student safety and the effectiveness of Dallas ISD’s security protocols are once again front and center.