What to Know
- An 18-year-old opened fire inside Mansfield ISD's Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas, leaving four people injured before fleeing.
- Three of the four were taken to hospitals and the other person refused treatment.
- The suspected gunman, Timothy George Simpkins, is now in police custody.
Four people were hurt Wednesday morning during a shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington, police say.
Arlington police said there was a fight between students on the second floor of the school when one of the students pulled out a gun.
That student has been identified as 18-year-old Timothy George Simpkins who has been taken into police custody after a manhunt across North Texas.
Investigators said Simpkins arrived at the Arlington Police Department with his attorney and was handcuffed in the parking lot. Simpkins has been booked into the Arlington City Jail on three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Bond has been set at $75,000.
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"We know that this is a tragedy, a traumatic incident for these high school kids. So, we have a tremendous amount of FBI, Arlington victim services that will hopefully talk to them and help them through this tragic incident," Assistant chief Kolbye said.
Arlington police also announced that a .45 caliber handgun was recovered in the streets of Grand Prairie. An ATF spokesperson confirmed Wednesday afternoon, the recovered firearm is in the process of being traced. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, there is no confirmation of the recovered firearm being the same one used in the shooting. ATF is awaiting ballistic testing information.
A total of four people were hurt, including two students and two adults.
- A teen female suffered small abrasion. She is expected to be discharged from the hospital soon in good condition
- A 15-year-old male who is in critical condition and has been in surgery
- A 25-year-old male in good condition
- An adult female, pregnant, treated and released at the scene
A letter sent to parents stated that during the lockdown, students and staff were locked in their classrooms and offices and that no visitors were being permitted.
Ralph Bess is the father of two students at Timberview High School. He said he rushed to the school once he heard what happened. Parents were advised to meet at the reunification center set up at the Center for Performing Arts at 1110 West Debbie Lane. However, Bess said he wanted to know his sons got on the buses carrying students to the center safely first.
"You can’t describe it. Not knowing is the worst feeling in the world. Not knowing if your kid is safe or one has been shot is the worst feeling any parent or any family member or any friend can ever experience," Bess said. "My son even sent me two videos I guess of a fight that was going in there and another shot with gunshots going off and to hear that and know your kids are part of that is terrible."
Roughly 1,700 students attend Timberview High School and officials said all of the students were evacuated by early afternoon after a methodical search of the campus and rooms.
NBC 5 crews have seen officers with long guns running from the parking lot into the school.
Agents with the FBI's Dallas office also responded to the scene to see how they might be able to assist with the response.
Timberview High School is a part of the Mansfield Independent School District.
Photos of Active Shooter Situation at Mansfield Timberview High School
Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement about the shooting Wednesdsay afternoon.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
