Posted 5:24 pm Wednesday, September 23, 2009
UPDATE: Text Of Superintendent's Statement Added
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A student in a special needs classroom at John Tyler High School approached his teacher this morning at around 8:50 a.m. and stabbed him with a sharp object in the neck, Superintendent of Tyler ISD Schools Dr. Randy Reid said this afternoon in a news conference at TISD headquarters.
Teacher Todd Henry, who has been with TISD for six years, died as a result of the injuries, Reid said. The student, age 16, who has not been identified, is in custody at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center.
Reid said Henry, one paraprofessional and three students were in the classroom when the incident occurred. After the attack occurred, the paraprofessional subdued the aggressor student and then called Tyler ISD police. The other two students in the classroom were not injured, Reid said.
School Board President Ron Vickery said the incident was not gang-related, nor was it racially motivated.
A fight in the school earlier in the morning was not related to the stabbing, officials said today.
The text of the statement delivered by Reid, courtesy of Tyler ISD, follows:
"Today is a sad day for Tyler ISD. At approximately 8:50 this morning an incident occurred in a classroom at John Tyler High School. At the time of the incident, one teacher, one paraprofessional, and three students were in the classroom. The classroom atmosphere was normal.
"One student approached the teacher and assaulted the teacher with an edged weapon. The student was immediately subdued by the paraprofessional and escorted out of the room into the hallway and turned over to Tyler ISD Police Officers who were nearby.
"Medical staff at the school immediately began administering aid and called 911. The teacher was transported to ETMC where further medical treatment was given. It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the news that our Special Education teacher Mr. Todd Henry has passed away. Mr. Henry has been part of the Tyler ISD family for more than six years.
"No injuries occurred to the other two students, nor the paraprofessional in the room at the time of the incident.
"The suspect student was taken to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center and detained. Tyler ISD Police Department, Tyler Police, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are working jointly on the criminal investigation, and is under the direction of Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham.
"Immediately after the incident, emergency procedure protocol was initiated and the campus was placed into a lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff. District administration decided to cancel classes at John Tyler for the rest of the day. At this time the students have been transported home or released to their parents.
"We want to emphasize that today’s events were an unforeseen isolated occurrence. This situation was not gang or racially motivated, nor was it associated with any other incident. All reports suggest that it was a random act by an individual student. However, the District will have significant additional support and security at the campus for the foreseeable future. Classes will resume tomorrow on the regular schedule. The District will provide on-going counseling support for students and staff as needed."
Teacher Todd Henry, who has been with TISD for six years, died as a result of the injuries, Reid said. The student, age 16, who has not been identified, is in custody at the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center.
Reid said Henry, one paraprofessional and three students were in the classroom when the incident occurred. After the attack occurred, the paraprofessional subdued the aggressor student and then called Tyler ISD police. The other two students in the classroom were not injured, Reid said.
School Board President Ron Vickery said the incident was not gang-related, nor was it racially motivated.
A fight in the school earlier in the morning was not related to the stabbing, officials said today.
The text of the statement delivered by Reid, courtesy of Tyler ISD, follows:
"Today is a sad day for Tyler ISD. At approximately 8:50 this morning an incident occurred in a classroom at John Tyler High School. At the time of the incident, one teacher, one paraprofessional, and three students were in the classroom. The classroom atmosphere was normal.
"One student approached the teacher and assaulted the teacher with an edged weapon. The student was immediately subdued by the paraprofessional and escorted out of the room into the hallway and turned over to Tyler ISD Police Officers who were nearby.
"Medical staff at the school immediately began administering aid and called 911. The teacher was transported to ETMC where further medical treatment was given. It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the news that our Special Education teacher Mr. Todd Henry has passed away. Mr. Henry has been part of the Tyler ISD family for more than six years.
"No injuries occurred to the other two students, nor the paraprofessional in the room at the time of the incident.
"The suspect student was taken to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center and detained. Tyler ISD Police Department, Tyler Police, and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office are working jointly on the criminal investigation, and is under the direction of Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham.
"Immediately after the incident, emergency procedure protocol was initiated and the campus was placed into a lockdown to ensure the safety of students and staff. District administration decided to cancel classes at John Tyler for the rest of the day. At this time the students have been transported home or released to their parents.
"We want to emphasize that today’s events were an unforeseen isolated occurrence. This situation was not gang or racially motivated, nor was it associated with any other incident. All reports suggest that it was a random act by an individual student. However, the District will have significant additional support and security at the campus for the foreseeable future. Classes will resume tomorrow on the regular schedule. The District will provide on-going counseling support for students and staff as needed."
