Students will return to Thomas Jefferson High School Thursday, two days after a shooting in the school's parking lot. Police say two people in a car shot a student in the arm.
The student is recovering. Dallas ISD Police are leading the investigation with help from Dallas Police, but they had not made any arrests Wednesday afternoon.
Teachers and other staff returned to the school Wednesday. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said counselors are available for staff and when students return Thursday.
"We're here today to begin the healing process," she said. "I say, 'begin,' because this isn't a time-bound process."
Elizalde said she had just offered support to Arlington Superintendent Marcelo Cavazos after the shooting at Lamar High School Monday when Dallas ISD wound up in the same situation.
Thomas Jefferson High School Principal Benjamin Jones said he was watching coverage of the Arlington shooting Monday.
"Obviously, earlier this week, I sat back with my own family and reflected on a news story and said, 'I can't imagine that happening here,'" he said.
Police sais the shooting in the Thomas Jefferson High School parking lot was about ten minutes after school was dismissed. Jones says teachers and students followed protocol and took cover, but three staff members ran toward the scene.
Jones said the school's athletic trainer gave first aid, the band director called 911 within 30 seconds of the shooting, and the assistant athletic coordinator called him at the same time.
"Our team did what we practice," he said."There is one way we move forward: continue building the relationships we value so our students and our families know the path forward is bright," he said.
Jones said Thomas Jefferson High School recovered from the tornado that destroyed the school in 2019, moving into the rebuilt facility last year. He said he expects students, family and staff to show resilience again.
Jones said all staff members returned to campus Wednesday except for several who were attending a conference out of town.
"We are okay, and we will continue to be okay because the TJ family is strong," he said.
When students return Thursday, Dallas ISD police will have a larger presence around the school. Elizalde said that larger presence will stay in place until further notice.
She called the shooting an "isolated incident" and said there is no ongoing threat at the school.
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