Dallas ISD Trustee Calls Meeting After Wilmer Hutchins High School Shooting

Following the recent shooting at Wilmer Hutchins High School, Dallas ISD Trustee Maxie Johnson organized a community meeting to address concerns and seek answers.

In the wake of the recent shooting at Wilmer Hutchins High School in Dallas, Dallas Independent School District (DISD) Trustee Maxie Johnson took proactive steps to address community concerns by organizing a meeting seeking answers and solutions.

Police identified 17-year-old Ja’Kerian Rhodes-Ewing as the student who managed to bypass metal detectors with a gun at Wilmer-Hutchins High School on Friday. Rhodes-Ewing is currently in Dallas County jail, facing multiple charges after allegedly shooting another student in the leg with a .38 revolver. The injured student is undergoing recovery.

Tuesday evening saw concerned community members gathering for a meeting, prompted by Trustee Johnson. While Dallas ISD administrators were present, they clarified their role as listeners, emphasizing that they were not in a position to provide official answers at the meeting.

Trustee Johnson, who was present during the incident, expressed urgency in addressing community concerns and soliciting questions. Following a student walkout on Monday, highlighting dissatisfaction with the handling of the shooting and perceived security inadequacies, Johnson stressed the importance of community dialogue.

Reflecting on the day of the shooting, Johnson shared his apprehension and concern, stating, “When I got that call, all my nerves went through me… I was very upset because I wanted to know how a child got a gun at school.”

Students at Wilmer Hutchins High School adhere to security protocols, including a clear-bag policy and passing through metal detectors, raising questions about how a firearm was brought onto campus. Some parents expressed discomfort about sending their children back to school amid ongoing safety concerns.

Dallas ISD acknowledged an ongoing investigation into the shooting but provided no further details. Attendees at the meeting, including concerned grandparents like Shay Brewer, sought reassurances about campus safety, suggesting measures such as staff rotations to enhance security.

While Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde was absent from the meeting, the Chief of School Leadership was present to gather questions and concerns for further discussion with district leadership.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of the shooting, the meeting underscored the importance of open dialogue and collaborative efforts to address safety concerns within Dallas ISD schools.