Sandy MaloneArlington, TX – The student who opened fire in a classroom at Timberview High School on Wednesday morning has turned himself in to the police.
Arlington Assistant Police Chief Kevin Kolbye told reporters at an afternoon news briefing that 18-year-old Timothy George Simpkins “turned himself in with an attorney” at an Arlington police station, KTVT reported.
Simpkins has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Asst. Chief Kolbye said the incident began at about 9:15 a.m. on Oct. 6 after a fight erupted in a classroom and one of the students involved in the altercation pulled out a gun, KTVT reported.
He said Arlington police received reports of gunfire in a classroom on the second floor of Timberview High School, located in the 7000-block of South Watson Road in Arlington, and law enforcement officers from multiple jurisdictions responded to the scene within minutes.
The assistant police chief confirmed that investigators had seen the video circulating online that showed the fight and said that police thought that was what had precipitated the shootings.
Fight that led up to shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington #Timberview #Arlington #Texas pic.twitter.com/0IpYed2fW4
— Isaiah (@TheIsaiahB47) October 6, 2021
Asst. Chief Kolbye said there were four reported victims who had received some type of injury during the incident.
He said three people were taken to the hospital and one was treated at the scene.
All of the victims were transported to Medical City Arlington, KTVT reported.
At least two of the victims were shot, according to the police official.
Asst. Chief Kolbye said a .45-caliber handgun was recovered about two miles away from the Timberview campus, along England Parkway in Grand Prairie, KTVT reported.
He said the weapon had been sent for ballistics testing.
“This is not a random act of violence,” Asst. Chief Kolbye said, not for the first time since the shootings. “This is not somebody attacking our school.”
We are looking for a shooting suspect in today’s incident at @mansfieldisd Timberview School. Please call 911 if you know the whereabouts of 18-year old Timothy George Simpkins who may be driving a 2018 Silver Dodge Charger with license plate PFY-6260. pic.twitter.com/npaNVBDXRp
— Arlington Police, TX (@ArlingtonPD) October 6, 2021
Although authorities have not released any specific information about the conditions of the victims, sources told KTVT reporters that there was a 15-year-old student in critical condition.
The source also said there was a 25-year-old male school employee who was in good condition and a teenage girl who was only “slightly injured” and was expected to be released.
The Mansfield Independent School District (ISD) said 1,700 students were locked down and barricaded in classrooms before they were evacuated to a reunification point to meet up with their parents, KTVT reported.
Reports of multiple people shot at Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas, following a fight in a classroom, reports suggest teacher shot and suspect fled, ongoing situation.
Nog een filmpje hieronder 👇 pic.twitter.com/fsTSQMOef2— AnnaMaria (@AnnaMar53723721) October 6, 2021
Ten schools in nearby Arlington ISD were also locked down for hours while police searched for the gunman.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, KTVT reported.
School district officials said there were no metal detectors at Timberview High School’s entrances.
Holly Matkin
