Today is a sad day
for Tyler ISD. At approximately 8:50 this morning an incident occurred in a
classroom at John Tyler High School. At the time of the incident, one
teacher, one paraprofessional, and three students were in the classroom. The
classroom atmosphere was normal.
One student approached the teacher and assaulted the teacher with an edged
weapon. The student was immediately subdued by the paraprofessional and
escorted out of the room into the hallway and turned over to Tyler ISD
Police Officers who were nearby.
Medical staff at the school immediately began administering aid and called
911. The teacher was transported to ETMC where further medical treatment was
given. It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the news that our
Special Education teacher Mr. Todd Henry has passed away. Mr. Henry has been
part of the Tyler ISD family for more than six years.
No injuries occurred to the other two students, nor the paraprofessional in
the room at the time of the incident.
The suspect student was taken to the Smith County Juvenile Attention Center
and detained. Tyler ISD Police Department, Tyler Police, and the Smith
County Sheriff’s Office are working jointly on the criminal investigation,
and is under the direction of Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham.
Immediately after the incident, emergency procedure protocol was initiated
and the campus was placed into a lockdown to ensure the safety of students
and staff. District administration decided to cancel classes at John Tyler
for the rest of the day. At this time the students have been transported
home or released to their parents.
We want to emphasize that today’s events were an unforeseen isolated
occurrence. This situation was not gang or racially motivated, nor was it
associated with any other incident. All reports suggest that it was a random
act by an individual student. However, the District will have significant
additional support and security at the campus for the foreseeable future.
Classes will resume tomorrow on the regular schedule. The District will
provide on-going counseling support for students and staff as needed.
1319 New Sunnybrook • Tyler, Texas 75701
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It is the policy of Tyler Independent School District not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.
