Police in Hobbs, New Mexico, take 13-year-old Ryker Teel into custody after he allegedly shot a middle school teacher (Hobbs Police via KCBD).
A 13-year-old New Mexico student allegedly removed his father’s handgun from a safe, brought it to his middle school and shot a teacher. While being taken into custody, the boy reportedly asked whether the teacher was dead.
Ryker Teel faces allegations of aggravated battery against school personnel, making shooting threats and tampering with evidence.
The Hobbs Police Department was called to Highland Middle School at about 11:40 a.m. on Sept. 25 after the incident was initially reported as a stabbing. Officers instead found teacher Kelly Matthews with multiple gunshot wounds.
School employees were already assisting Matthews when police arrived at the New Mexico campus.
A staff member told officers that Matthews had called out for help, saying, “I need help, I’ve been shot, please help me, I don’t wanna die,” according to body-camera footage obtained by local NBC affiliate KCBD and Fox affiliate KRQE.
Matthews described the suspected shooter as a young person wearing glasses and what appeared to be “some kind of” mask.
“He just turned around and started shooting at him,” an officer said over the police radio.
Officers soon located a suspect who matched the teacher’s description. After a brief chase, they detained him and asked for his name.
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“Ryker Teel, sir,” the boy replied.
Teel then began apologizing to the officers.
“Is he dead?” Teel asked. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Is he dead?”
Matthews was taken to a hospital in critical condition. His health has since improved, and he is expected to begin physical therapy soon.
Investigators later learned that Teel’s twin brother, who also attends Highland Middle School, was inside a classroom when the shooting occurred.
According to police, Teel told detectives during an interview attended by his parents that he took his father’s gun from a safe and went to school intending to shoot “anyone.” He allegedly said he selected Matthews at random.
Teel’s parents issued a statement to local news outlets through their attorney.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken over the tragic event that took place at Hobbs Highland Middle School. We have and will continue to pray for the well-being and healing of the victim, his family, and the community,” the statement said.
The post “Is he dead?”: 13-year-old boy apologizes after allegedly shooting middle school teacher as twin brother sat in class, police say, first appeared on Law & Crime.