Community shaken by Wilmer Hutchins High School shooting

WILMER/HUTCHINS – A school shooting at Wilmer Hutchins High School this past Friday, April 12 left the community and students shaken.

One person was shot and another in custody as teams of law enforcement poured onto the campus after the incident.

The shooting occurred Friday morning, and the unnamed victim was shot in the upper thigh according to reports. 

Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D., said in a press conference Friday afternoon that the injured student had non-life-threatening injuries. 

The victim was taken to Baylor hospital for treatment.

The suspect, Ja’kerian Rhodes-Ewing, 17, faces one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon in prohibited places.

He was booked into the Dallas County jail Friday and remained in custody as of Tuesday on a total bond of $200,000.

Rhodes-Ewing will be tried as an adult in the case. 

A school webpage stated, “The safety and well-being of students and staff is the district’s top priority, and Dallas ISD has taken a number of steps to insure safer schools.”

Nevertheless, Monday morning students indicated they were worried about their safety and hosted a walkout.

While it is not clear how the handgun got into the school, there are metal detectors at the school and students are required to use only clear backpacks.

Law enforcement officers indicated they believed the suspected shooter and victim were acquainted. 

Wilmer-Hutchins High School is part of Dallas ISD and is in southeast Dallas.