YES Southwestern readiness director released from hospital after being injured in shooting, police say

HOUSTON – Students at YES Prep Southwest Academy credited their school principal for facing off against the shooter.

Eric Espinoza, the director of YES Prep, has been confirmed by the school and the administrator who was injured in the shooting. Houston police said Friday night Espinoza was released from hospital after being shot in the lower back.

“Director Eric Espinoza was taken to hospital after a bullet grazed him from behind, and he should be released [Friday]YES Prep wrote in a letter to parents and communicated to KPRC 2.

Details of Espinoza’s interaction with the shooter were not disclosed by Houston Police on Friday. However, several students recounted that Espinoza confronted the gunman near the entrance to the school.

“As I entered the office, I saw that there was broken glass and blood. So me, thinking, ‘My principal got shot.’ He did it by trying to protect us, ”said Destiny, a student at YES Prep Southwest Academy.

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According to a biography on the school’s website, Espinoza has been director of the charter school system since 2017. His affiliation with the organization dates back to high school.

“Eric graduated from YES Prep Southeast Secondary in 2003,” according to YES Prep.

As the students and parents waited for the news of Espinoza state, they thanked him for protecting them.

In a letter to families, YES Prep administrators said counselors would be available during the weekends for students.

“We cannot imagine the terror you must have felt as the events unfolded. Today’s shocking incident is one that no student, parent or educator should have to go through or deal with on their own, ”district officials said.

YES Prep has confirmed that classes are canceled at the Southwest campus from October 4-6. Officials said they would meet with students and families before classes resume.