Heightened Security as Hill Country College Prep Reopens After Shooting

Questions persist about the incident that left a teacher wounded and a student dead.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:04pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a bullet casing on a dark classroom floor, capturing the gritty, investigative nature of the crime scene.The aftermath of a school shooting leaves behind the stark evidence of a violent act, raising urgent questions about campus safety and security.Bulverde Today

Students returned to class at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, Texas, one week after a tragic shooting that left a teacher wounded and the alleged student gunman dead. The reopening was marked by heightened security measures like bag checks and an increased police presence, but lingering questions remain about the incident and the district's security protocols.

Why it matters

The shooting at Hill Country College Prep has shaken the local community and raised concerns about school safety. As the district works to reassure parents and students, there are calls for more transparency around the incident and the school's security measures.

The details

On the first day back, Sky 4 aerials showed students arriving on campus as staff members conducted bag checks before letting them into the building. The Comal County Sheriff's Office confirmed there were three Bulverde police officers and one Comal County deputy on campus. Even with the increased law enforcement presence, some students said returning to school was still difficult, with one student saying, 'Even if it was me in that situation, I'd be like super concerned. I'd be scared to go back.'

  • The shooting happened last Monday, when a 15-year-old student shot a teacher inside a second-floor classroom before taking his own life.
  • Students returned to class on Monday, one week after the shooting incident.

The players

Savannah Rose

A student at Hill Country College Preparatory High School who described the chaotic scene on the first day back.

Francisco Vara-Orta

The interim deputy executive director of Investigative Reporters & Editors, who said the school district has a public duty to provide more information to reassure the community.

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What they’re saying

“'It was crazy. It was very chaotic. I know a lot of my friends, and their parents were also super worried.'”

— Savannah Rose, Student

“'The school district understandably has legal considerations, but there's also a public duty to explain some of that, to reassure your community and your taxpayers too, that support your school district.'”

— Francisco Vara-Orta, Interim Deputy Executive Director, Investigative Reporters & Editors

What’s next

The injured teacher remains hospitalized, and officials have not released the name of the teacher or the student who died. The district is facing calls to provide more information about the incident and its security protocols.

The takeaway

The reopening of Hill Country College Prep after the tragic shooting has highlighted the ongoing challenges schools face in ensuring student and staff safety, as well as the need for transparent communication with the community during such difficult times.