Phillip EdwinTexas has experienced a series of devastating school shootings over the years, with tragic events that have profoundly impacted communities across the state. These incidents range from the historic 1966 University of Texas tower shooting to more recent tragedies that have reshaped the national conversation on school safety and gun violence. The following list documents 15 significant shootings in Texas schools, including the deadliest events and more recent incidents that have occurred since 2018.
Top 15 Shootings In Texas Schools
1. Robb Elementary School (Uvalde) – 2022
The Robb Elementary School shooting on May 24, 2022, is the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, with 21 lives lost . An 18-year-old gunman legally purchased two AR-style rifles shortly after his 18th birthday and opened fire in two adjoining fourth-grade classrooms, killing 19 children and 2 teachers . The shooter had posted on social media minutes before the attack that he had shot his grandmother and was going to shoot up a school. Law enforcement waited over 70 minutes before entering the classroom to confront the gunman, a decision that drew widespread criticism and led to multiple investigations.
2. University of Texas at Austin Tower – 1966
The University of Texas tower shooting on August 1, 1966, was the deadliest school shooting in Texas history prior to Uvalde. A student sniper barricaded himself atop the campus tower and shot at people below, killing 18 individuals and injuring more than 30 . The shooter was killed by Austin police officers . This incident is widely considered to have introduced the nation to the concept of a “mass shooting” in a public place.
3. Santa Fe High School (Santa Fe) – 2018
On May 18, 2018, a 17-year-old student armed with a shotgun and a pistol opened fire at Santa Fe High School, killing 8 students and 2 teachers and injuring 13 others . The shooter was charged with capital murder but has been declared incompetent to stand trial, and the criminal case has been on hold since 2019 . The massacre was one of the deadliest school shootings in Texas history.
4. Italy High School (Italy) – 2018
In January 2018, a 15-year-old girl was shot six times in the cafeteria of Italy High School. The shooter, Chad Padilla, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and attempted capital murder . He died in prison in March 2022 while serving his sentence.
5. YES Prep Southwest Secondary (Houston) – 2021
On October 1, 2021, a 25-year-old former student shot and wounded the campus principal at YES Prep Southwest Secondary. The shooter fired at the glass entry door with a rifle to gain entry, and the principal was struck in the lower back . The shooter was charged with aggravated assault against a public servant and deadly conduct . No students were injured in the incident.
6. Klein Collins High School (Spring) – 2026
A gun-related incident occurred at Klein Collins High School on March 9, 2026, resulting in no casualties or injuries . The incident was reported and one suspect was arrested . The school is located in the Houston suburb of Spring.
7. Bryan High School (Bryan) – 2026
On March 6, 2026, a gun-related incident at Bryan High School resulted in no casualties or injuries, and one suspect was arrested . The school is located in Bryan, Texas.
8. John M Harlan High School (San Antonio) – 2026
On January 29, 2026, a gun-related incident at John M Harlan High School in San Antonio resulted in no casualties or injuries . One suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.
9. Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School (San Antonio) – 2025
On November 17, 2025, a gun-related incident at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School in San Antonio resulted in no casualties. The suspect was taken into custody.
10. North Shore Senior High School (Houston) – 2025
On October 16, 2025, a gun-related incident at North Shore Senior High School in Houston resulted in no casualties, and one suspect was arrested . The school is located in the Houston area.
11. Bowie Elementary School (Corsicana) – 2025
On November 19, 2025, an incident at Bowie Elementary School in Corsicana resulted in one injury . The incident was reported by the Gun Violence Archive as a school shooting with 1 victim injured and no fatalities reported.
12. Pasadena Memorial High School (Pasadena) – 2025
In February 2025, an elderly man entered Pasadena Memorial High School during a band competition and discharged a small-caliber weapon, injuring a percussion technical consultant. A parent tackled the suspect after he opened fire, and school district police and others helped apprehend him . The suspect was not affiliated with the competition.
13. Wilmer-Hutchins High School (Dallas) – 2025
On April 15, 2025, a 17-year-old opened fire at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Dallas, injuring five people . The suspect, Tracy Haynes, was taken into custody several hours after the shooting on six counts of aggravated assault in a mass shooting.
14. Texas State University (San Marcos) – 2025
On December 11, 2025, a gun-related incident at Texas State University’s Blanco Hall resulted in no casualties. The incident was reported by the Gun Violence Archive as having no injuries or fatalities.
15. Central High School (San Angelo) – 2025
On December 2, 2025, a gun-related incident at Central High School in San Angelo resulted in no casualties or injuries . The incident was reported by the Gun Violence Archive.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | Location | Year | Deaths | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robb Elementary School | Uvalde | 2022 | 21 | 17 |
| 2 | UT Austin Tower | Austin | 1966 | 18 | 31+ |
| 3 | Santa Fe High School | Santa Fe | 2018 | 10 | 13 |
| 4 | Wilmer-Hutchins High School | Dallas | 2025 | 0 | 5 |
| 5 | Italy High School | Italy | 2018 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | Bowie Elementary School | Corsicana | 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| 7 | Pasadena Memorial High School | Pasadena | 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | YES Prep Southwest Secondary | Houston | 2021 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Klein Collins High School | Spring | 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Bryan High School | Bryan | 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | John M. Harlan High School | San Antonio | 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | LEE High School | San Antonio | 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | North Shore Senior High School | Houston | 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Texas State University | San Marcos | 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Central High School | San Angelo | 2025 | 0 | 0 |
Tips for Understanding School Safety
Start by recognizing that school shootings are complex events with multiple contributing factors, and understanding the history of these incidents is essential for informed discussion.
For families and educators, it is important to be aware of school safety protocols, including active shooter drills, lockdown procedures, and communication systems.
Many schools have implemented measures such as controlled access points, security cameras, and mental health support services to help prevent and respond to incidents.
Parents should discuss school safety with their children in age-appropriate ways and encourage them to report any concerns to trusted adults .
Community involvement and awareness of warning signs can contribute to early intervention and prevention efforts.
Resources like the Texas School Safety Center provide training and guidance for schools across the state .
Closing
Texas has experienced a tragic history of school shootings, from the 1966 University of Texas tower massacre to the devastating Uvalde shooting in 2022, which is the deadliest in state history . While the majority of gun-related incidents on school campuses in recent years have resulted in no casualties, the events listed above highlight the ongoing challenge of ensuring school safety. The state continues to grapple with the complex issues of gun violence, mental health, and security measures in educational settings.
Note that all information, including dates and casualty counts, is subject to verification through official sources as investigations and reporting continue .