The family of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the 17-year-old high school junior suspected of gunning down his fellow classmates and teachers in a rampage Friday morning, has released a statement.
The family said they are ‘saddened and dismayed’ about the shooting at Santa Fe High School, where Pagourtzis attended.
‘We extend our most heartfelt prayers and condolences to all of the victims. We also wish to thank all the first responders from all over Texas that assisted in rendering aid and support,’ the statement read, released Saturday through the family’s lawyers.
‘We are as shocked and confused as anyone else by these events that occurred. We are gratified by the public comments made by other Santa Fe High School students that show Dimitri as we know him: a smart, quiet, sweet boy. While we remain mostly in the dark about the specifics of yesterday’s tragedy, what we have learned from media reports seems incompatible with the boy we love.’
The family said they ‘share the public’s hunger for answers’ but will wait to speak on the tragedy until the investigation is complete.
‘We have been and will continue to cooperate with the authorities conducting the investigation, and ask for the public’s patience while it moves forward,’ the statement continued.
‘We ask the public to please extend privacy, both to the victims and to our own family, as all of us try process these events, and begin the healing process.’
According to witnesses at the scene, Pagourtzis allegedly told students he was going to make them ‘pay’ as he opened fire. The teen allegedly targeted classmates he did not like and let others live to ‘have his story told’.
Pagourtzis left ten dead and at least 14 injured when he allegedly stormed into an art classroom at his school yelling ‘Surprise!’ while brandishing his father’s guns.
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Source: Daily Mail
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