Hobbs police say teacher was shot by a 13-year-old middle school student
UPDATE (6:00 PM) -- Hobbs Police Chief James Jones briefed the public on Sunday, addressing the shooting of a teacher at Highland Middle School on Friday in Hobbs, New Mexico.
According to Jones, at 11:39 a.m., officers responded to Highland Middle School after an initial report of a stabbing was updated to a possible shooting, Jones said.
Authorities identified Kelly Matthews as the teacher who was shot by a student outside of a building at the middle school. The student had been inside the school attending morning classes and then went outside the building sometime later. Matthews encountered the juvenile, and police say that's when the student started to open fire.
Officials say nearby schools were placed on lockdown, and officers established a perimeter around both schools. Emergency personnel located Matthews being helped by school nursing staff; a bladed weapon was also found near Matthews. He was taken to a local hospital and was later transferred to Lubbock.
Statements from the victim helped authorities identify the suspect as a white male wearing a black hoodie, black pants, and a long white shirt. Authorities located him moments later, but he began running from officers. Police said the suspect fled east toward a residential area where a semi-automatic weapon was found near the path the 13-year-old is believed to have taken when running from police.
The 13-year-old middle school student, who was not identified by officials, is facing several charges including but not limited to: aggravated assault and battery of a school personnel, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon and shooting threats, and evading law enforcement. Officials say the 13-year-old may face more charges as the investigation continues.
In the press event, detectives in the investigation say the motive is still unclear, and they have not determined if Matthews was a pre-identified target.
Officials said they know how the student obtained the firearm but said they are withholding that information at this time due to the ongoing investigation. No criminal charges have been pursued against the parents at this time.
Jones said there would be a heightened police presence at the school over the next several days, and Superintendent Gene Strickland said school would resume on Monday. "We continue to pray for [Kelly's] recovery," said Jones.
Officials also mentioned that Matthews is in stable but critical condition and remains at the hospital.
The middle school where the shooting occurred was scheduled to host a football game between Organ Mountain High School from Las Cruces and Hobbs High School but was rescheduled due to the shooting.
HOBBS, New Mexico (KVIA) -- According to officials from Hobbs Municipal Schools, a football game between Organ Mountain High School and Hobbs High School was canceled after a juvenile shot a Hobbs staff member at the scheduled location.
On Friday, September 25, around 3 p.m., the Las Cruces Public Schools posted the following statement on their social media:
Due to an incident at Highland Middle School in Hobbs, the varsity football game scheduled for tonight at 7:00 p.m. has been rescheduled for tomorrow, September 26, at 10:00 a.m. at Watson Memorial Stadium.
Organ Mountain High School students and staff are safe. Accommodations will be provided for OMHS athletes.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.
Hobbs Municipal Schools shared a news release on their social media close to 9 p.m. Friday, September 25. In the release, Hobbs Municipal Schools Superintendent Gene Strickland said that a juvenile attacked and shot a staff member outside a building at Highland Middle School.
In a release from the Hobbs Police Department, officers were initially called to the school at around 11:39 a.m. for a stabbing, but the call later changed to a "possible shooting".
When officers arrived at the area, officials say they found the staff member with multiple gunshot wounds, and he was later transported to a nearby hospital.
Officials from the Hobbs Municipal Schools and the Hobbs Police Department say the school was secured and no students or other faculty members were injured.
According to police, officers of the Hobbs Police Department, Lea County Sheriff's Department, New Mexico State Police, and Lea County Drug Task Force began searching the area surrounding the school for the suspect after getting a description.
Officials later located the juvenile and, after a foot pursuit, was taken into custody.
No information was provided by officials regarding the staff member's condition, and officials did not provide any information regarding the juvenile.
The Hobbs Police Department is scheduled to provide an update regarding the shooting Sunday afternoon.
