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Family says Texas school shooting suspect was trying to protect himself
The family of 18-year-old Timothy Simpkins say they can’t justify what he did, but believe he was trying to protect himself following ongoing incidents with other students.
ARLINGTON, Texas – The family of the Timberview high school student suspected of participating in a Wednesdayay campus shooting said they hoped a police investigation would reveal more about what led to the incident. They claim he was being bullied.
“The decision he made, taking the gun, we don’t justify that. It wasn’t fair. But he was trying to protect himself. We hope the police department will investigate properly,” he said. said Carol Harrison Lafayette, a family member.
Police charged 18-year-old Timothy Simpkins with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
At around 9:15 a.m. on Wednesday, police said Simpkins had a fight with another student in a second-floor classroom and drew a gun. Four people were injured in the shooting.
RELATED: Timberview High School shooting injures four; suspect arrested
The school was immediately closed, but Simpkins fled in a Dodge Charger.
Police worked to secure the building and searched the nearby Simpkins house. They recovered the alleged .45 caliber handgun he was using on the street a few miles away.
Hours later, Simpkins attended a nearby police station with a lawyer.
Family of suspected gunman speak out after Timberview High School shooting
The alleged shooter’s family say they don’t justify him bringing a gun, but hope the investigation will reveal more about the circumstances.
His family say there are documented reports of ongoing incidents between him and other students. But at this point, neither Mansfield ISD nor the Police Department will confirm this.
“You know, this is something that we hope to find out during our investigation,” Asst said. Chief Kevin Kolbye of the Arlington Police Department.
Ass. Chief Kolbye said after Simpkins surrendered with his lawyer, he waived his right to make statements. Thus, most cases will be based on eyewitness accounts, videos and physical evidence collected at the scene.
He said detectives would look into all allegations of bullying and Simpkins’ educational background. They will interview his teachers, as well as other students and parents.
“But I just want to point out that, you know, we don’t accept harassment and it’s the teachers’ responsibility to handle some of these things in the Mansfield School District,” Kolbye said. “But even if you are being bullied, there are other options other than carrying a gun to a school and using a gun in a situation like this. It just isn’t acceptable today. “
Arlington Police are investigating allegations that a school shooting suspect was bullied
The family of the school shooting suspect said he was bullied. It will be part of the police investigation. Good Day spoke to Arlington PD Asst. Chief Kevin Kolbye on the case and what the police know so far.
The deputy chief also believes Mansfield ISD needs to reassess some of its security measures with the growing number of campus threats and students carrying guns.
“I can assure you that we are conducting a full and thorough investigation into what happened,” added Donald Williams, Associate Superintendent of Communications for Mansfield ISD.
Those injured in the shooting include two students and two teachers. A 15-year-old boy was seriously injured by gunshot. A teenage girl was shot, treated and released from hospital. A 25-year-old teacher was shot but is expected to be fine. And a pregnant teacher was injured in a fall but was not hospitalized.
The Simpkins family apologized to those injured and asked for forgiveness.
“For the family of the victims, there is no justification for anyone being injured,” Lafayette said.
Simpkins is still in jail on $ 75,000 bail.
READ MORE:
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