Dallas School Shooting Suspect Called Nonprofit Before Surrendering to Police

Dallas, TX – The 17-year-old suspect in the Wilmer-Hutchins High School shooting, Tracy Haynes Jr., turned himself in on Tuesday night after he reached out to a local nonprofit for help.

Haynes called Antong Lucky, president of Urban Specialist, a group that works to stop gun violence in Dallas. During the call, Haynes said he wanted to surrender because he feared for his safety.

His aunt first contacted the nonprofit while Lucky and his team were already trying to reach the shooting victims. Acting as a go-between, Lucky spoke with both Haynes and detectives. Haynes eventually agreed to meet at the nonprofit’s office.

While police searched a Waxahachie neighborhood for Haynes, officers waited for him at the South-Central patrol division in Dallas. After talking with Lucky, Haynes chose to surrender peacefully.

Haynes arrived at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center around 9 p.m. A livestreamer known as Smash Da Topic captured his arrival on video. Authorities later booked Haynes into the Dallas County Jail on four counts of aggravated assault in a mass shooting.

According to investigators, Haynes opened fire on four students just after 1 p.m. Tuesday. They said he shot one victim at close range and fired randomly at others inside the school.

Medical teams treated all four victims. Two of them have already left the hospital, while the other two remain in care as of Wednesday night.

Officials haven’t confirmed a motive for the shooting. Investigators are still working to determine if Haynes targeted the victims or if they were bystanders.

Dallas ISD will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday to provide updates and answer questions.