In a heartbreaking scene captured on surveillance video, 17-year-old Tracy Haynes entered a classroom at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in southern Dallas, stepped back into the hallway, and opened fire on a group of students before fleeing. The attack, which unfolded just after 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, left four students injured and sent shockwaves through the community. For the second time in just over a year, the campus became the site of a devastating shooting, reigniting fears about school safety and leaving students, parents, and educators grappling with grief and uncertainty.
The chaos erupted in the middle of the school day, as students went about their routines. Witnesses described hearing a rapid succession of gunshots—some reported as many as seven or eight—followed by screams and the sound of hundreds of students running for safety. Freshman Salondra Ibanez, who was in biology class, recalled the moment the gunfire began. Initially mistaking the sound for something innocuous, she and her classmates quickly realized the danger and huddled behind their teacher’s desk before retreating to a storage room. Senior Adonta Jackson, who was in the school’s foyer, said he saw students scattering in all directions, some hiding in classrooms, others fleeing the building entirely. Sophomore Abby Falcon, in history class, described her class rushing to lock the door and crouching in a corner, fearing the worst. For many, the moment felt like a nightmare they couldn’t escape.
Emergency responders descended on the school within minutes. Dallas Independent School District (DISD) police, joined by Dallas Police Department officers, Dallas Fire-Rescue, and federal agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, worked swiftly to secure the campus. Four students, aged 15 to 18, were rushed to nearby hospitals. Three suffered gunshot wounds, with one in serious condition, while the fourth sustained a musculoskeletal injury to the lower body. Authorities confirmed that none of the injuries appeared life-threatening, offering a small measure of relief amid the tragedy.
By 9:32 p.m., Tracy Haynes, a 17-year-old student, was in custody, booked into Dallas County Jail on a charge of aggravated assault–mass shooting. His bail was set at $600,000, and it remains unclear whether he has secured legal representation. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shooting, nor have they explained how Haynes managed to bring a firearm into the school, which is equipped with metal detectors and enforces a clear backpack policy. Assistant Chief Christina Smith of the DISD Police Department emphasized that the weapon did not enter during the regular morning intake process, but she declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation. “This was not a failure of our staff, our protocols, or our equipment,” she said firmly during a press conference, though her words did little to quell growing concerns about security lapses.
The shooting marks a grim milestone for Wilmer-Hutchins High School, where a similar incident occurred almost exactly one year earlier, on April 12, 2024. In that case, a 17-year-old student shot a classmate in the leg inside a classroom, prompting a student walkout and community demands for stronger safety measures. Parents and students had raised alarms about inconsistent enforcement of security protocols, including reports of students bypassing metal detectors and inadequate bag checks. The recurrence of violence has intensified scrutiny on the district’s ability to protect its students, with many questioning how such tragedies continue to unfold.
DISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde addressed the community with a heavy heart, calling the incident “unthinkable” and lamenting that school shootings have become “all too familiar.” She announced that classes at Wilmer-Hutchins High School would be canceled for the remainder of the week, with mental health clinicians made available to support students and staff. A reunification site was established at Eagles Stadium, where anxious parents, clutching photo IDs, waited to embrace their children. For many, the relief of seeing their loved ones safe was tempered by fear and frustration. “I can’t keep going through this as a parent,” said Shauna Williams, whose two children attend the school. “It’s terrifying to think about losing your kids.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who spoke with Elizalde and DISD Police Chief Albert Martinez, condemned the “senseless act of violence” and pledged state resources to aid the investigation and recovery efforts. He highlighted Texas’ investment of over $3 billion in school safety since his tenure began and noted plans to seek an additional $500 million to bolster protections. Local leaders, including Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett, expressed outrage and sorrow, with Crockett declaring, “No child should fear for their life at school. This is not normal.” State Senator Royce West, a Wilmer-Hutchins alumnus, shared a personal connection to the school, noting the tragedy’s deep impact on the community.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. For now, the Wilmer-Hutchins community is left to mourn, heal, and confront the painful reality of another school shooting. The images of students fleeing, parents waiting anxiously, and a campus surrounded by police vehicles serve as stark reminders of the work that remains to ensure schools are sanctuaries, not battlegrounds.