Highland Middle School in Lubbock, Texas, became the focus of a serious incident on Sept. 25 when 13‑year‑old Ryker Teel was accused of shooting teacher Kelly Matthews outside the campus. Police released body‑camera footage that documents the rapid response by Lubbock officers, the care provided to the injured teacher, and the subsequent arrest of the suspect.
Immediate police action
At approximately 11:40 a.m., a 911 caller reported a staff member who had been either stabbed or shot behind the school. Officers arrived quickly, and Officer Mann vaulted a fence to assist school nurse Sylvia Pena, who was already tending to Ms. Matthews’ wounds. In the video, Officer Mann asks Ms. Matthews who was responsible. She replies, “I don’t know, I don’t know. They were standing and facing that corner right there and I came out and they turned around and they just started firing and took off running.”
Ms. Matthews describes the suspect as wearing glasses and a mask. Officer Mann relays that description over his radio, and the police broadcast a suspect sketch: a white male in a black hoodie, black pants, and a long white shirt underneath.
Suspect identified and taken into custody
The description proved accurate. Officers locate a teenage boy in a nearby alley, ask for his name, and he identifies himself as Ryker Teel. In handcuffs, Teel apologizes repeatedly, asking, “Is he dead? I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Is he dead?” He is then taken to the Lubbock County jail.
Police later confirmed that Teel’s twin brother was in class at the time of the shooting. Detectives interviewed Teel with his parents present. After the interview, Teel was overheard telling his father that he retrieved the firearm from a safe at home and brought it to school with the intention of shooting “anyone,” not a specific target.
Community response and support
Ms. Matthews was transported to Covenant Health Hospital in Hobbs before being returned to Lubbock for continued care. Her wife shared that Mr. Matthews is now recovering at a rehab center and that the family is praying for a full recovery, acknowledging each day as a challenge.
The video also shows school administrators, teachers, and law‑enforcement officials releasing students to their parents, emphasizing the priority placed on safety and family reunification.
Ongoing investigation
The Lubbock Police Department continues to investigate the shooting. Charges filed against Teel include aggravated assault, tampering with evidence, and additional counts related to the unlawful possession and use of a firearm on school property.
Local leaders have called for prayerful support for the victims, their families, and the first responders who acted swiftly to protect the school community. The incident underscores the importance of vigilant law‑enforcement presence and the need for continued dialogue on school safety within the Lubbock community.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
