June 6, 2025

School Shooting Shakes Wilmer Hutchins Community

News Summary

A teacher at Wilmer Hutchins High School shared her traumatic experience after a school shooting injured four students and herself. The 17-year-old shooter targeted a specific student, prompting concerns about school safety and support for educators. Following the incident, the teacher faces financial strain due to denied compensation requests, while the Dallas Independent School District reassesses its security measures. Classes have been canceled to allow the school community to heal, with mental health resources provided to support those affected.

Wilmer Hutchins, Texas – A teacher at Wilmer Hutchins High School recounted her traumatic experience following a school shooting that occurred on April 15, 2025. The incident, which left four students injured and the teacher herself wounded, has led to ongoing concerns about school safety and support for educators in the aftermath of violence in schools.

The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Tracy Haynes Jr., opened fire inside the school, targeting a specific student. Renix, who was in a neighboring classroom pumping breast milk when the shooting began, initially mistook the sound for something less serious. After hearing a rapid succession of gunshots, she quickly crawled to safety along with other students, seeking refuge in a supply closet.

During the chaotic ordeal, a bullet grazed Renix’s face, damaging her eyeglasses but narrowly missing her eye and brain. She describes this incident as an incredibly close call, prompting her to confront the realities of PTSD and mental health challenges since the shooting. To cope, Renix is currently undergoing therapy to address her experiences and manage the anxiety stemming from the event.

Renix has expressed dissatisfaction with the support she has received from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) since the incident. Dallas ISD has denied her requests for workers’ compensation and other leave benefits, leading to financial strain due to pay deductions. In seeking financial support for her situation, she has launched a GoFundMe campaign, emphasizing the importance of safe environments in schools for both students and educators.

All four students injured in the shooting are expected to recover fully. However, the incident has sparked a renewed dialogue about school safety protocols within Dallas ISD, particularly regarding how Haynes managed to enter the school undetected. In light of the shooting, DISD has reiterated that security measures such as metal detectors are present at school entrances, although questions remain about their effectiveness.

In the wake of the shooting, classes at Wilmer Hutchins High School have been canceled for the week, allowing students and staff to process the traumatic event. DISD is providing mental health resources to assist those affected, including counseling services aimed at supporting both students and staff members dealing with fear and anxiety.

Renix, reflecting on her situation, has voiced uncertainty regarding her future as a teacher. The threat of violence in educational environments weighs heavily on her ability to continue her career. She emphasizes her love for teaching but struggles with the reality of ensuring her safety while fulfilling her duties.

The prompt response to the shooting led to the swift arrest of Haynes, who was taken into custody shortly after the incident. As authorities continue to investigate the shooting, both the school community and broader area are left to grapple with the implications of this violence and how best to ensure student and staff safety in schools moving forward.

The tragic events at Wilmer Hutchins High School serve as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency of school shootings across the nation and the urgent necessity for effective policy changes aimed at securing educational institutions.

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Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER

DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.

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