DALLAS — The 17-year-old suspect in Tuesday’s mass shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School has surrendered to authorities, telling a local nonprofit leader he feared for his safety.
Tracy Haynes Jr. turned himself in to law enforcement at the Lew Sterrett Justice Center around 9 p.m. Tuesday. He has been charged with four counts of aggravated assault in connection with the school shooting — a first-degree felony.
A Coordinated Surrender
Haynes’ decision to surrender came through an unexpected chain of communication. Antong Lucky, president of Urban Specialists — a nonprofit committed to combating gun violence and poverty — said his team had been working to contact the shooting victims when they received a call from Haynes’ aunt.
“She wanted to make sure nothing happened to him,” Lucky said. Acting as a mediator between Haynes and police, Lucky arranged for the teen to meet him at his office. Meanwhile, law enforcement had already mobilized in a Waxahachie neighborhood and stationed officers at the South-Central patrol division in anticipation of Haynes’ surrender.
Following a conversation with Lucky, Haynes agreed to cooperate. The moment he turned himself in was streamed live on social media by independent broadcaster Smash Da Topic. Intake footage later showed Haynes being booked into the Dallas County Jail.
What Happened Inside the School
According to investigators, Haynes opened fire inside Wilmer-Hutchins High School just after 1 p.m. Tuesday, injuring four students. Surveillance footage cited in an arrest affidavit reportedly shows an unidentified student allowing Haynes into the school through an unsecured side door.
Authorities say Haynes began shooting indiscriminately, at one point approaching a student who couldn’t escape and appearing to fire at close range. Despite the severity of the attack, all four victims are expected to survive. As of Wednesday night, two had been released from the hospital, while two remained under care.
Motive Still Unclear
During his conversation with Lucky, Haynes did not offer a clear motive for the shooting. “He said there was a back-and-forth of threats — threats on his life from other individuals,” Lucky recounted. Investigators have not confirmed whether the victims were specifically targeted or were bystanders caught in the violence.
Lingering Questions
The investigation remains active, with several key questions still unanswered. Dallas ISD has not disclosed whether the student who allegedly let Haynes into the building will face disciplinary or legal consequences.
This incident comes almost exactly one year after another shooting occurred at Wilmer-Hutchins High School, intensifying concerns over campus security.
Dallas ISD is expected to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday to address the shooting, ongoing safety measures, and broader concerns from the community.