Parent Thwarts Potential Mass Shooting at High School Band Competition

A potential mass shooting at a Texas high school band competition was averted on Saturday when a courageous parent confronted and subdued an elderly gunman, according to local authorities. The shooter, a man in his 80s, managed to injure one person at the Texas Color Guard Circuit drumline competition held at Pasadena Memorial High School before he was apprehended.

The elderly man had infiltrated the campus and concealed himself behind a pillar within the school premises for approximately two minutes before discharging a small-caliber firearm, as per the police report. A young adult was injured in the incident before a parent from the audience rushed the shooter, successfully tackling him to the ground.

Following the initial intervention, several other individuals, described as “good Samaritans” by district officials, assisted in detaining the shooter until school district officers could take over. The swift response of these individuals was instrumental in preventing further harm. Pasadena Police Chief Jerry Wright commended their actions during a press conference, noting that the suspect was disarmed and further shooting was prevented within a minute.

The Pearland Independent School District issued a statement acknowledging the bravery of some of the Samaritans, who were parents from their district. They were praised for their quick action in subduing the shooter and holding him until law enforcement arrived on the scene.

The shooting appeared to be a random act, with no clear motive identified by the authorities. The Pasadena Independent School District confirmed that the shooter had no known connection to the competition.

The individual injured in the incident was a percussion technical consultant for the Angleton Independent School District’s band. He was hit in the shoulder and transported to a local hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition.