A 13-year-old student is in custody after police say he opened fire on a teacher outside a New Mexico middle school, leaving the educator critically wounded and sending two nearby schools into lockdown.
Kelly Matthews, a special education teacher at Highland Middle School in Hobbs, was shot multiple times shortly before noon Friday, September 25, according to authorities.
Matthews remained hospitalized Sunday in critical but stable condition after undergoing multiple surgeries, Hobbs Interim Police Chief James Jones said. He was initially taken to a hospital in Hobbs before being transferred to Lubbock, Texas, for additional treatment.
Police say the terrifying encounter happened at about 11:39 a.m. near the rear doors of Highland Middle School, located at 2500 N. Jefferson Street.
Investigators believe the 13-year-old left the building between class periods. Matthews later walked outside and came around a corner, where police say he encountered the student.
Authorities allege the teen then immediately began firing.
Police have not publicly identified a motive, and investigators said they have found no evidence so far suggesting Matthews had been specifically targeted before the shooting.
The initial emergency call was reportedly dispatched as a possible stabbing before being updated to a shooting. Police said a bladed weapon was found near Matthews, which may explain the initial confusion.
Two officers reportedly reached the school in less than a minute.
School nurses rushed to Matthews and provided medical care until emergency responders could transport him to the hospital.
No students were injured in the shooting, according to district officials. Highland Middle School and a nearby school were placed on lockdown while police searched for the suspected shooter.
Police said Matthews was able to provide information that helped officers identify the suspect.
The teen allegedly fled toward a nearby residential neighborhood. Officers spotted him several blocks from the school, but police say he ran when they approached.
Following a brief foot chase, officers took him into custody.
Investigators later recovered a semi-automatic handgun along the route the teen allegedly used while fleeing the school. Police believe it was the weapon used in the shooting.
Chief Jones described what happened as a “tragic and violent act.”
The 13-year-old has not been publicly identified because he is a juvenile.
Police say he is facing multiple allegations, including aggravated assault on school personnel, aggravated battery on school personnel, shooting threats, unlawfully carrying a deadly weapon, interference with school operations, tampering with evidence and resisting, evading or obstructing a law enforcement officer. Authorities have indicated additional charges could still be considered as the investigation continues.
Hobbs Schools Board President Terry O’Brien credited the rapid response from police and school employees with helping prevent the situation from becoming even worse.
The shooting has also shaken the southeastern New Mexico community.
Matthews is listed by the school district as a special education teacher at Highland Middle School. The school serves students at its North Jefferson Street campus in Hobbs.
Hobbs Municipal Schools Superintendent Gene Strickland said classes would resume Monday, September 28.
Police planned an increased law-enforcement presence at schools throughout the district, with particular attention being paid to Highland Middle School in the days following the attack.
“We continue to pray for Kelly’s recovery,” Jones said during Sunday’s update.
Investigators have not said how the 13-year-old allegedly obtained the handgun or whether anyone else could face charges related to the weapon.
Police also said they have no information at this point indicating another person participated in the shooting.
That leaves several major questions unanswered, including why the student allegedly brought a gun to school and what led to the encounter with Matthews.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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