Dallas school shooting suspect was let into building by another student before firing ‘indiscriminately’ at victims, affidavit says

DALLAS — The suspect in the Wilmer-Hutchins High School shooting Tuesday was let into the Dallas school by another student before he began firing at students “indiscriminately” and shooting one student at “point-blank,” according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by WFAA.

Tracy Haynes Jr., 17, was identified in the affidavit as the suspect. He faces a charge of aggravated assault mass shooting, according to the affidavit.

Five students were shot and taken to local hospitals for treatment, according to the affidavit, adding to the total of four victims previously reported by authorities Tuesday.

The shooting happened shortly after 1 p.m. Tuesday at Wilmer-Hutchins in Southeast Dallas. The affidavit said at 1:03 p.m., an “unidentified student” let Haynes Jr. into the school through an unsecured door. Haynes Jr. then walked a hallway until he saw multiple male students, according to the affidavit. Haynes Jr. “displayed a firearm and began firing at the students indiscriminately,” striking five of them, the affidavit said.

Haynes Jr. then approached a student “who was not able to run,” the affidavit said, “and appeared to take a point-blank shot at the student.”

Haynes Jr. later turned himself into authorities on Tuesday night. 

The shooting prompted mass evacuations of the campus and a heavy police response as officials investigated the incident. The campus was secured after about an hour, and then parents were allowed to reunite with their children, who had been evacuated to the school’s nearby football stadium. 

According to Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde, classes at Wilmer-Hutchins High School have been canceled for the rest of the week, and mental health resources will be provided to students, faculty and staff.

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