Wilmer-Hutchins High School shooting suspect brought 38-revolver handgun to campus: arrest affidavit
DALLAS - Police records obtained by FOX 4 identify the student accused of bringing a gun to Wilmer-Hutchins High School and shooting another student in the leg.
His identity was withheld by the Dallas Independent School District and its police department, citing "student privacy." However, the police records provided the new information.
Ja’Kerian Rhodes-Ewing, 17, is facing two charges after police said he brought a Pink Lady Handgun 38-revolver handgun to school last Friday and shot a classmate in the leg, according to an arrest affidavit. He was booked as an adult in the Dallas County jail.
After the shooting, police said a teacher intervened, making Rhodes-Ewing leave the classroom. The school was then placed on lockdown.
Police captured Rhodes-Ewing a short time later near the school's football field. They found the gun in the nearby woods, the affidavit states.
Dallas school shooting: Dallas ISD investigating how gun got into Wilmer-Hutchins High
Wilmer-Hutchins High School has metal detectors and the district has a new policy this year that requires students to have a clear backpack. FOX 4 talked to an expert about the vulnerabilities at schools that could have let that happen.
The student who was shot was taken to the hospital but is expected to be okay.
Police said Rhodes-Ewing "intentionally and knowingly brought a 38-revolver handgun in a prohibited place and intentionally and knowingly shot the victim one time in his left leg, causing serious bodily injury."
He is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.
A Dallas ISD trustee hosted a community meeting Tuesday night for parents to voice their concerns about the shooting.
State Representative Venton Jones (D-Dallas) was there too and said a larger conversation needs to be had.
"The biggest conversation we have to have is that how people in our communities, how children are getting access to weapons," St. Rep. Jones said.
Dallas ISD administrators were at the meeting too. Parents asked them repeatedly how a student was able to bring a gun onto campus given that there are metal detectors and the district has a clear backpack policy.
Students, parents voice concerns at community meeting about Wilmer Hutchins High School shooting
School district officials were on hand, but they said they would only listen to concerns and not answer questions. That brought some irritation from some in the audience.
The administrators didn't provide any answers, saying they were only there to listen to concerns.
Some students walked out of class Monday, calling for better security.