MESQUITE, Texas — Mesquite police on Tuesday released bodycam video of officers shooting a student who reportedly came to school with a gun last week.
The shooting happened just before 9 a.m. on Feb. 19 at the Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy in Mesquite, a charter school for grades 5-12 located at 3200 Oates Drive.
The video released Tuesday included initial 911 call audio from school officials, the officers' response and attempted negotiations and ultimately the shooting, in which three officers fired a total of 19 shots, according to police officials.
Mesquite police said officers had been dispatched to an active shooter call after a report of someone entering the school with a gun.
A release said the suspect, a 16-year-old, was reported to be alone in an office in the school. In the video released Tuesday and edited by Mesquite police, 911 audio included the assistant principal telling the 911 operator the student had pulled a gun in an office and they were calming the student down.
During the 911 call, school administrators were heard telling the student to put the gun down.
"Put it back on the floor ... put it back on the floor ... put it back on the floor," the administrator repeated numerous times.
The student repeatedly refused, according to the call.
School administrators put the campus on lockdown, and Mesquite police said in the released video that it took the first officer two minutes to get to the scene. Another officer arrived shortly thereafter, and the two officers made contact with school administrators, who told them the student was sitting on a couch in the office. The student had placed the handgun on the floor at his feet. No one else was in the office.
In the video, footage showed officers attempting to talk down the student in the office. Mesquite police said officers spoke with the student for approximately four-and-a-half minutes.
"What's going on today buddy," one officer asked. "Can you talk to us? We would like to help you. That's why we are here. Has anything upset you today? Can you listen to me closely? Please do not reach for that gun, OK? We don't want anything to happen to you or anyone else. Can you do that for me? What has upset you today? Maybe we can talk about it."
Video showed the student reach down toward the floor, and an officer fire at the student. Three shots were initially heard in the video.
The door began to close, and an officer grabbed the door to open it and keep a visual inside the room, Mesquite police said. The video then showed the student standing in the room with the handgun drawn and pointed at the doorway. Officers then fired again at the student in the office.
The student was shot with a minor leg wound, police said. Through a closed door, officers continued negotiating, Mesquite police said, and he then complied with commands and was arrested.
Mesquite police confirmed to WFAA that 19 shots were fired by three officers. They also said there was no initial indication that the suspect fired at the officers.
Watch the officers' attempted negotiations and shooting:
No other students or officers were injured. The suspect's identity is being withheld due to his status as a juvenile. Police said the three officers involved were an 8-year veteran, a 5-year veteran and an officer-in-training who had multiple years of service with another agency.
The school installed metal detectors at "checkpoint entrances" at the school after the shooting and added additional security officers on campus, as well as crisis counselors.
A spokesperson from the Mesquite Police Department told WFAA last week that witnesses told investigators that the teen relayed that he came to the school to harm people. The spokesperson called the teen a troubled student — now the target of several search warrants to determine a motive. The teen is now facing a single exhibition of a firearm charge and may face more charges in the future, the spokesperson said.
After the video release, Pioneer Technology & Arts Academy Superintendent Shubham Pandey issued a letter addressing the body camera footage:
"As we reflect on the events of last week, I am compelled to reach out and share our thoughts and the steps forward following the incident that occurred at our beloved school. Today, the Mesquite Police Department released a detailed account of the situation, providing us all with a clearer understanding of the events as they unfolded.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the trust and support you have extended to us during these times. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our unwavering priority, and it is with a sense of relief and gratitude that we acknowledge the outcome of the incident— wherein no serious injuries occurred, thanks to the prompt and effective actions taken by our staff and the local law enforcement.
The professionalism and courage shown by our administrators and the responding officers under such intense circumstances were nothing short of exemplary. Their quick thinking and decisive actions ensured the safety of all our students and staff, demonstrating the effectiveness of our emergency response protocols. This incident tested our preparedness, and I am proud to say that our school community responded with remarkable calm and resilience.
In light of the recent release of the police report, it's crucial to emphasize the strong relationships our staff has forged with our students, which were pivotal in averting this incident. These relationships enabled us to manage the situation with exceptional care and professionalism, serving as a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe and secure learning environment. This is what distinguishes us and reinforces our dedication.
Looking ahead, we are more committed than ever to strengthening our school's safety measures and building upon the trust and cooperation that define our community. We are reviewing our current protocols, engaging in discussions with safety experts, and will be implementing additional measures to enhance our preparedness for any future emergencies.
Moreover, while challenging, this incident has brought our school community closer together. It has sparked meaningful conversations around safety, support, and the collective well-being of our students and staff. We are inspired by the strength and unity our community has shown and are confident that we will emerge from this experience stronger and more resilient.
In the coming weeks, we will host a series of community meetings and workshops focused on safety, mental health, and community support. These sessions will allow us to come together, discuss our experiences, and contribute to our school's ongoing efforts to ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all.
We welcome your thoughts, feedback, and any suggestions you may have as we navigate this path forward together. Please feel free to reach out to my office directly to share your thoughts or to seek support.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support, understanding, and solidarity. Together, we are building a stronger, safer, and more supportive school community for our children."
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