COMAL COUNTY, Texas – Authorities believe a 15-year-old student turned the gun on himself after shooting a teacher at Hill Country College Preparatory High School on Monday.
The male student was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
The teacher was taken to a hospital in San Antonio. Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds. On April 15, CCSO confirmed to KSAT that the teacher has since been released from the hospital.
The Comal Independent School District said it would not be sharing the name of the teacher or student involved in the shooting.
The motive is unknown, but CCSO believes the student had been experiencing academic challenges, including failing several classes.
Here’s what we know so far about the shooting.
Shooting reported Monday morning
The Hill Country College Preparatory High School, located near Bulverde at 3615 Mustang Vista, was placed on lockdown at 8:34 a.m. Monday, March 30.
In a Facebook post Monday, the sheriff’s office said it was “responding to reports of a shooting this morning near a high school in the Bulverde area.”
At 9:20 a.m., the school said in a separate Facebook post that “students and staff are in a secure area and the threat has been contained.”
The sheriff’s office said there was not an “active shooter situation” at 10:08 a.m.
Reynolds said the shooting happened on campus but did not specify where.
Multiple agencies responded to the school and the “situation was contained very, very quickly,” he said.
Students were transported by bus to nearby Bulverde Middle School for reunification with parents.
“No one will be allowed back to the HCCPHS campus for belongings or parked cars until law enforcement officials release the campus,” the high school said.
Student turned gun on himself, authorities say
Reynolds said authorities believe the student shot himself after shooting the teacher.
Neither have been publicly identified.
The sheriff said his office is investigating the connection between the student and the teacher.
Watch the full Monday afternoon news conference below:
The deceased student’s family was in the reunification line on Monday, according to Reynolds.
He said the sheriff’s office will continue to have a presence as needed, and the deputies’ focus is on supporting those affected.
“What happened today is something no community ever wants to face, but we prepare for something that we hope never occurs,” Reynolds said.
Teacher released from San Antonio hospital
On April 15, Reynolds confirmed to KSAT the teacher was released from the hospital as of last week.
In a video posted to Facebook on April 15, Comal Independent School District Superintendent John E. Chapman III said since authorities continue to investigate the shooting, there are details the district is unable to share.
In the video, Chapman said Comal ISD is not releasing the teacher’s name and “will not do so at this time.”
“She has specific privacy protections in place under her employment file and we are honoring those,” Chapman said. “What I can tell you is that she continues to recover and she is surrounded by the love of this community every single day.”
Student used revolver from home
In a news release on Tuesday, CCSO investigators said the student used a .357 revolver that was brought to campus from his home.
The gun belonged to the student’s grandfather, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told KSAT.
While the motive is still under investigation, CCSO believes the student may have been experiencing academic challenges, including failing several classes.
“Authorities are continuing to gather information to better understand the circumstances leading up to the incident,” the release states.
A search warrant was executed at the student’s home, and several electronic devices were seized, according to CCSO.
“These items are currently undergoing forensic examination in an effort to learn more about the student’s actions and possible motive,” the release adds.
Comal ISD superintendent says district will soon have safety, security task force
On April 15, Chapman said he will share details in the coming days about a Comal ISD safety and security task force made up of parents, staff and community members within the district.
The task force will hold a series of community-driven meetings to gather input, examine current practices and provide recommendations to the district’s safety and security committee, he said.
“This is not a short-term fix, this is a long-term commitment,” Chapman said.
Dispatch audio details shooting response
In the news conference, Reynolds said the response by his deputies was as swift as they’d practiced.
Dispatch audio obtained by ABC News provides more details on the moments deputies arrived at the scene.
- “We did get word that there is a gunshot wound to the head. They are currently applying pressure.”
- “GSW (gunshot wound) would be at the front of the school, make our way to the front of the schools, scene appears to be secure.”
- “Two patients, one being transported, all other responding units can stage outside the perimeter, all other responding units can stage outside the permitter.”
- “Make sure all personnel are outside the building while we finish securing the facility.”
- “Can you ensure all personnel have left cleared inside the structure?”
During those few minutes of dispatch audio, deputies were heard communicating and working to ensure the scene was safe.
Classes canceled for the week
A spokesperson for Comal ISD said Hill Country College Preparatory High School will remain closed for the remainder of the week.
In a previous letter to parents, Principal Julie Wiley said there would be no school on Tuesday, March 31, “to allow time for our families and staff to process and begin healing.”
Wiley said any vehicles or personal belongings left on campus will remain secured until further notice and guidance will be sent out about how to retrieve items.
Counseling, resources offered
Wiley said counselors would be available to students and families from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Mammen Family Public Library, located at 131 Bulverde Crossing.
“Please know we are here to support our students, staff and families during this time,” Wiley said.
>> Ecumenical Center urges communication, support after deadly school shooting in Comal County
The Ecumenical Center is offering resources and access to trained professionals for those struggling in the wake of the shooting. Support is being made available not only for those directly affected but for anyone experiencing distress.
>> Where to find counseling resources to cope with grief, mental health struggles
Community members seeking help can find more information or schedule services through the center’s website.
Nonprofit launches fundraiser for injured teacher
The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, a nonprofit formerly known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, announced an “emergency national fundraiser” for the teacher wounded on Monday.
The fundraiser is called “Stand With Teachers: Texas Recovery Fund.” All of the proceeds will go to the teacher’s:
- Medical expenses and emergency care
- Long-term rehabilitation and recovery
- Family support and stabilization
- Trauma and counseling resources
“This is a devastating escalation of the crisis facing our schools. A teacher — someone who dedicates her life to protecting and guiding young people — is now fighting for her life because of gun violence inside a classroom," nonprofit founder Daniel Chapin said in a news release. “We are standing with her, her family, and every student impacted — but support must be more than words. It must be immediate and tangible.”
All funds raised will go directly to the teacher through the school to “ensure secure and verified delivery of support,” according to a news release.
Students, parents react to shooting
Sarah Valdez, a mother of a freshman at the school, described the sad “reality” for the school’s students.
“We got an alert from Comal ISD that the school is on lockdown, and I called my son, even though I knew they’re not supposed to be using phones,” Valdez said.
Jesse Lopez said that he’ll hold onto his daughter once they reunite, but it’ll be difficult telling her that she has to eventually go back to class.
“That’s going to be hard to do because, for one, she has autism, and she’ll be afraid to go back,” Lopez said. “She’ll be real afraid to go back.”
A female sophomore student told KSAT she was walking down the stairs with a friend when they heard the gunfire. She said her debate teacher saw them on the staircase and shouted for them to “get into a room.”
Approximately 250 students attend the school
Hill Country College Preparatory High School is a part of Comal ISD, about a half-hour north of San Antonio.
It is a specialized high school as a “school of choice” within Comal ISD and was founded in August 2020.
About 250 students attend the school, Reynolds said Monday.
The school began as freshmen only but has grown to offer grades 9-12. It focuses on college, career and military readiness, and STEAM and is a New Technology (Network) High School (NTN).
The school initially operated on the campus of Spring Branch Middle School but has since moved to its own dedicated campus.
It collaborates with area colleges, including the University of Texas and Northeast Lakeview College, and offers more than a dozen Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Reports of student violence surged in the district
Reports of students injuring Comal Independent School District educators increased nearly 20 times over the last three school years, according to data analyzed by KSAT Investigates.
In Comal ISD, data collected by KSAT Investigates shows that reports of student-caused injuries were nearly 20 times higher in the 2024-25 school year than in the two school years prior.
According to the injury reports, Comal ISD educators reported being bitten, headbutted and choked by students during the 2024-25 school year.
Lawmaker calls for gun control legislation
In a Facebook post Tuesday, Texas Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) said he is “saddened, frustrated, and angered” as more details from the shooting are released.
“School shootings should not be constant ‘news of day,’” he wrote. “We cannot pick and choose WHEN we are pro life! We have to ACT! I’m asking all of my colleagues to prioritize common sense gun control legislation!”
More coverage of this story on KSAT.com: