It has happened again. In Santa Fe, Texas yesterday morning (May 18) around 7:30 AM CT, a gunman armed with a shotgun and revolver opened fire in Santa Fe High School. His deadly rampage was reported first by students who heard gunshots and called their parents as well as 911. Police and paramedics responded quickly, as teachers ushered students outside the school. By 9:00 AM CT, the shooter, 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, had surrendered, and 10 people lay dead. There were warning signs, such as the shooter posting an image of a t-shirt emblazoned with the words "born to kill" online.

The profile is typical of school shooters; that of a young man consumed by rage, lashing out at innocent victims, somehow justified in his own mind. A report by ABC News provided much of the information and quotes used in this article.

Texas governor and the president speak out

This is the third school shooting in the state in three years. In the immediate aftermath, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott had some words for the press; "It's time in Texas that we take action, to step up and make sure this tragedy is never repeated again in the history of Texas. Beginning immediately, I will be working with members of the Texas legislature, and communities all across the state of Texas on swift solutions to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again." President Donald Trump also spoke out on the school shooting in Santa Fe; "This has been going on too long in our country.

Too many years, too many decades now. We grieve for the loss of life. Everyone must work together at every level of government to keep our children safe."

No end in sight

Politicians often make statements that indicate an intention to reduce gun violence, but any attempt to keep guns out of the hands of angry children and unhinged criminals will run afoul of the gun lobby.

The leading arms dealer in the US is the National Rifle Association, and that organization is a mega-donor to politicians who march lockstep with its agenda. The NRA's power to enforce the policies of easy gun access, combined with the American citizens' love of firearms and shiny barrels, will ensure many gun deaths in years to come, with no concerted effort among lawmakers to curb them.

According to ABC News, the number of American students who have been killed by school shooters has far surpassed the number of those killed during active duty military service in the last five months.

It's a sad day when going to high school puts you at greater risk of being shot than joining the army, but that's modern America. The perpetrator in the Sante Fe shooting has been charged with capital murder. As a minor, he will not be subject to the death penalty. He is being held without bail by authorities.
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