Hobbs school officials said a juvenile shot a Highland Middle School staff member outside the building on Friday, and the juvenile was arrested soon after the attack. No students were hurt.
The staff member was stable and in good spirits, officials said, but the shooting remains an active law enforcement matter involving a juvenile. They said they will not give additional details while the investigation continues.
Law enforcement quickly responded, and school officials said staff, first responders and medical personnel helped protect the school community as they followed safety protocols. That immediate response mattered because the school was dealing with a violent incident at the edge of a campus that had to keep students and employees safe while officers took control of the scene.
Officials said they are continuing to work with law enforcement and are focused on supporting the injured staff member, caring for students and employees, and keeping Highland Middle School safe and supportive. What remains unanswered is why the juvenile shot the staff member outside the building, and officials have made clear they are not ready to say.
For now, the case turns on the same two facts that define the day: a juvenile is in custody, and the school community is left waiting for investigators to explain what led to the shooting.
