Hobbs, New Mexico – The highly anticipated varsity football matchup between Organ Mountain High School and Hobbs High School was postponed after a juvenile shot a staff member outside Highland Middle School on Friday afternoon.
Incident details
At approximately 3:00 p.m. on September 25, Hobbs Municipal Schools posted a statement indicating that the game, originally set for 7:00 p.m. that evening, would be moved to 10:00 a.m. on September 26 at Watson Memorial Stadium. The decision followed a violent incident at Highland Middle School, where a juvenile allegedly attacked and shot a staff member.
According to a release from the Hobbs Police Department, officers were first dispatched to the school around 11:39 a.m. for a reported stabbing. The call was later updated to a “possible shooting.” When officers arrived, they found the staff member with multiple gunshot wounds and transported him to a nearby hospital. No students or additional faculty members were injured.
Law‑enforcement response
Hobbs Police, in coordination with the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, New Mexico State Police, and the Lea County Drug Task Force, launched a search for the suspect. After a brief foot pursuit, officers located the juvenile and placed him into custody.
Police have not released the victim’s condition and have not confirmed whether the juvenile was a student at Highland Middle School. An update from the Hobbs Police Department is expected on Sunday afternoon.
Impact on the football game
Superintendent Gene Strickland of Hobbs Municipal Schools confirmed that both schools’ students and staff remain safe. Accommodations will be provided for Organ Mountain athletes, and the rescheduled game will proceed as planned on Saturday morning.
Community members expressed concern and gratitude for the swift response of law‑enforcement and school officials. The incident underscores the importance of maintaining safe learning environments while allowing extracurricular activities, such as high school football, to continue in a secure setting.
Looking ahead
Officials from Hobbs Municipal Schools and the Hobbs Police Department emphasized that the school campus was secured after the incident and that investigations are ongoing. Parents, students, and local residents are encouraged to stay informed through official school and police communications.
The rescheduled game offers an opportunity for the community to come together, support its youth athletes, and demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
