Edinburg: Three deer hunters suspected of possibly firing the shots that wounded two South Texas middle school pupils were taken in for questioning, but investigators hadn't determined early yesterday whether the shootings were accidental, reckless or intentional, a sheriff said.
Hidalgo County Sheriff Lupe Trevino told AP that authorities have theorised that the pupils were hit by "errant or stray bullets" fired from hunting pastures near the middle school, which was hosting outdoor tryouts for the basketball team.
Three hunters were taken in for questioning on Monday night but were not immediately arrested, he said. Authorities searched yesterday morning for rifle casings to see if they match the barrel markings on the guns the hunters questioned had in their possession, he said. "It's undetermined if it was intentional, someone was reckless, or a plain old accident," Trevino said. "We just don't know yet. We're going to continue to see what the three people have got to say for themselves, see if we can piece that together." Two pupils, ages 13 and 14, were wounded in the Monday afternoon shootings outside Harwell Middle School near Edinburg.
Security increased
One was in critical condition on Monday night with a gunshot wound in the back and a bullet embedded in an organ, while the other was in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the armpit, Trevino said.
Even if accidental, investigators will want to know how close the shooters were to the school when they opened fire. Trevino said two hunting pastures are within 400 metres of the school. Classes were to go on as scheduled, but with increased security and counsellors available to speak with students.
