Italy High School Shooting: One Injured, One Arrested

ITALY, TX — A shooting that took place Monday morning at Italy High School in Ellis County left a 15-year-old female injured and a 16-year-old male in police custody.

The victim, whose identity is unknown, was airlifted to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. The suspect was confronted by an Italy ISD employee, but left the school after the shooting. He was later arrested without incident on school grounds, Ellis County Sheriff Charles Edge said. Both are students at Italy High School. The suspect's motive is not known at this time.

A search dog from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms searched the school and found no other firearms. Italy ISD Superintendent Lee Joffre also said all students were accounted for.

Joffre told reporters in a Monday morning press conference that grief counselors will be provided for students at the school.

It's unknown at this time how many students witnessed the incident, but Joffre confirmed the shooting happened in the school cafeteria, where he estimates 45 to 55 students gather each morning.

An ongoing investigation is led by the Ellis County Sheriff's Department. Texas Department of Public Safety, the Hill County Sheriff's Department, Italy police and the Texas Rangers are assisting on the investigation.

Students were released from the district and reunited with their parents at Stafford Elementary after a brief investigation.

Edge said it's not known at this time what charges the alleged shooter will face.

Neither the victim's condition nor the relation between the victim and suspect are known at this time.

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