Authorities: Accused Texas shooter documented attack plans in journals
The teenager accused of carrying out a deadly shooting at a Texas high school on Friday laid out his plans for the attack in private journals, authorities said.
The suspected shooter, identified as Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, wrote about his plans in journals on his computer and cellphone, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said on Friday. Those outlines allegedly included a plan to kill himself.
“He said not only did he want to commit the shooting, but he wanted to commit suicide after the shooting,” Abbott said at a news conference.
{mosads}
“He gave himself up, and admitted at the time that he didn’t have the courage to commit the suicide — that he wanted to take his own life earlier.”
An affidavit filed on Friday said Pagourtzis told authorities that he did not target students that he liked in the attack, because he wanted to “have his story told.”
Pagourtzis was taken into custody on Friday shortly after the shooting at Santa Fe High School, near Houston. The attack left at least 10 people dead and 10 others wounded.
The suspect has been charged with capital murder and aggravated assault on a public servant, and is currently being held in Galveston County jail without bail.
Pagourtzis made his first appearance in court Friday night. During the appearance, he stood with his head bowed, said little and requested a court-appointed lawyer.
One other student was detained on Friday as a person of interest in the case, though it’s not clear what connection that individual may have to the shooting.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.