AUSTIN, Texas — A man has been arrested after an Austin ISD Police Department officer was shot and injured near Northeast Early College High School on Tuesday morning. Investigators believe the man, identified by officials as Shane Matthew James Jr., is also responsible for multiple other shootings that happened later on Tuesday.
The shooting occurred around 10:40 a.m. near the school, located at 7105 Berkman Dr., near US 290. Officials told KVUE the officer was shot in "an unprovoked way," where there had been no interaction between the officer and James.
Shortly after the incident, the school resource officer for the campus arrived as a backup and assisted the officer who was shot, AISD police said. Around 10:44 a.m., Austin-Travis County EMS arrived to take the officer to a local hospital.
AISD police confirmed the officer who was shot, identified as Sgt. Val Barnes, was hit in the leg. As of Wednesday, he is recovering at home.
The high school was placed on lockdown at 10:46 a.m. The Austin Police Department arrived on the scene shortly after, along with other law enforcement, first responders and investigators. The AISD Police Department said 15 different agencies responded to the scene.
Around 2 p.m., the school conducted a controlled release after the campus was cleared. Students were bused to the Delco Activity Center, located at 4601 Pecan Brook Dr., for parents to pick them up.
Police believe James is also responsible for multiple other shootings later in the day Tuesday, including a double homicide in South Austin on Tuesday afternoon and a shooting that injured another officer in southwest Austin on Tuesday evening. They also believe he is responsible for a double murder in San Antonio.
Classes and all after-school activities at Northeast Early College and International High School are canceled for Wednesday, Dec. 6. Austin ISD said the campus will, however, be open during normal hours to students and staff who wish or need to be on campus for any reason.
After assessing the need on Wednesday, Austin ISD said it will determine if classes will resume on Thursday.
Buses will run their normal morning and afternoon routes for students wishing to access services or meals. AISD will also run an additional early afternoon route for students who wish to return home after receiving lunch.
"Our investigators and the Austin Police Department Aggravated Assault Unit are coordinating the investigation and are working right now at this point in time. That's all the information we have at this moment to release," AISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed said.
Sgt. Barnes is responsible for patrolling several campuses and was doing his daily check of Northeast Early College at the time of the shooting, AISD police said.
AISD said support will be provided, including mental health and counseling services to any students and staff on campus. No campus staff are expected to report to school. Those who wish to come to access support services or be in the community are encouraged to do so.
"The investigation is ongoing," Northeast Principal Nathan Neal and International High School Principal Leti Vega said in a letter to families. "We are incredibly grateful to our Austin ISD police and other law enforcement agencies for their continued support in bringing the investigation to a close. As an extra precaution and for peace of mind, we will have additional police presence on and around campus tomorrow."
According to AISD, Barnes is a 22-year U.S. Army veteran who has served the district as a police officer for 28 years.
"I'm just glad it was me and not any of our kids," Barnes said.
Gov. Greg Abbott released a statement following the incident.
"Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the Austin ISD police officer who was shot near Northeast Early College High School today," Abbott said. "Our ISD police officers play a critical role in keeping Texas students and school faculty safe. The State of Texas is offering all available resources to local law enforcement partners who are working to ensure this dangerous criminal is caught and brought to justice. Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in praying for the officer's swift recovery and the entire Northeast Early College High School community."