Family of Arlington school shooting suspect says he was robbed, bullied

The motivations of the alleged attacker in Wednesday’s Arlington college capturing keep on being unidentified, but he apparently acted just after a fight, and relatives members said he had been bullied.

Police arrested Timothy George Simpkins, 18, in the early morning shooting at Timberview High Faculty in the Mansfield Impartial Faculty District.

A female who identified herself as Simpkins’ mom stated he was bullied. But she declined to comment Wednesday afternoon outdoors Simpkins’ grandmother’s household in Arlington as law enforcement searched the residence.

Cint Wheat, his cousin, wrote in a Fb publish, “At the conclude of the working day my lil cousin was bullied. I never know to feel about this he not no bad kid.”

Later on in the night, Carol Harrison Lafayette, who stated she’s a family member speaking for the household, stated at the house that Simpkins was robbed ahead of the attack transpired.

“He was robbed,” she said. “It was recorded. It happened not just the moment, it transpired two times. He was scared, he was frightened.”

“There is no justification of any individual … remaining hurt,” she stated, adding, “We have to get a appear at the simple fact that bullying is actual. And it will take us all. And I do apologize. We question as a spouse and children for forgiveness of any style of hurt.”

When asked at a information convention about bullying considerations some mothers and fathers have voiced, Donald Williams, Mansfield ISD’s associate superintendent of communications, claimed that the district is conducting a full investigation of the shooting and its result in.

“What I will say to that is we choose the security and security of our learners in our college and employees significantly,” he claimed.

Four men and women ended up injured — which includes a 15-yr-outdated boy who was critically wounded, throughout the early morning capturing. Simpkins was taken into custody hrs afterwards right after surrendering with the support of an lawyer.

Here’s what we know about Simpkins and the capturing so far:

• He is an 18-12 months-previous scholar at Timberview High University in Arlington.
• A combat reportedly broke out in a second-tale classroom at the college, adopted by the taking pictures. The suspect fled the scene right after the capturing.
• Law enforcement commenced to seem for the car Simpkins drives, a 2018 silver Dodge Charger. The vehicle was identified at an condominium intricate in Grand Prairie.
• Simpkins turned himself in to authorities at about 1:15 p.m., and with an lawyer, was speaking to detectives.

• Police claimed they would find a few expenses of aggravated assault from Simpkins. He was booked into the Arlington jail just right before 2 p.m., and his bail was established at $75,000.
• A social media online video circulating appears to display somebody who looks like Simpkins in a fight at the college, but police said they just cannot verify that it is from the faculty nonetheless.
• Law enforcement never know how the shooter bought a gun into the university. Grand Prairie police recovered a .45-caliber handgun on England Parkway and federal authorities are trying to get to decide no matter if it was made use of in the capturing.
• About 2:30 p.m., a SWAT staff executed a research warrant at the dwelling wherever he life with his grandmother. The Edgefield neighborhood is a fairly new development with limestone and brick facades.
• Simpkins’ social media accounts appear to have been energetic early Wednesday but the accounts are no for a longer period obtainable.

Lafayette stated Simpkins is an outgoing, very well-liked, loving man or woman. “He was looking forward to graduating and doing anything with his lifetime,” she claimed.

Scientists Erin Sood, Naomi Kaskela and Ana Niño contributed to this tale.

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