Santa Fe struggles to recover from deadly school massacre

Santa Fe High School was the target of the most recent school shooting in a string of 22 this year alone. A 17-year-old student armed with a shotgun and a .38 caliber revolver opened fire on an art class around 7:40 a.m. on Friday, May 18. Eight students and two teachers were killed and an additional 10 were wounded, including a school resource officer who remains in critical condition. Explosives were also identified on campus and at locations off campus, however none of them were set to detonate and harm anyone.

The tragedy prompted an overflow of grief and anger among students and parents in Santa Fe as well as throughout the country. A candlelight vigil was held Friday night in honor of the 10 students and teachers whose lives were suddenly lost.

According to an article from The Washington Post, authorities claim the motivations for the attack are unclear. The shooter, Dimitris Pagourtzis Jr., is currently being held at Galveston County Jail without bond on accounts of capital murder and aggravated assault on a police officer.

Journals found in Pagourtzis’s room stated that he eventually wanted to commit this act and then kill himself, however he didn’t end up following through and instead gave himself up to the police.  

Students returned to school Tuesday, May 29 for the first time since the attack. According to a statement issued by Patti Hansard, assistant superintendent for the school district, multiple counseling opportunities will be offered to all students facing trouble coping and additional officers will circulate the building upon students’ return.