Last Wednesday, October 6, 2021, Timothy George Simpkins was arrested after bringing a gun to his local high school and opening fire on four specific individuals. The shooting took place at Timberview High School, located in Arlington, Texas, for reasons that the 18-year-old student claims to be because “he was bullied.” The young man was immediately taken to Tarrant County Jail and charged with 3 separate counts of assault with a deadly weapon. However, for unspecified reasons, the criminal was soon released the next day on a $75,000 bond; he is currently a free man.
The unfortunate altercation initially started in a classroom where Simpkins first brought out his firearm, after getting into a fight with some of his peers who were reportedly antagonizing the young man. A teacher who was shot was said to be in “good condition” as of Thursday, while a 15-year-old boy was still in “critical condition;” the injuries on the other two victims are still classified from the public. It is sad to see a person who can create a dreadful mess such as this one be let back into the world and not suffer the full punishment. The shooter’s parents claim that their child had been continuously bullied and robbed during school hours in an attempt to defend the criminal.
Carol Harrison Lafayette, an unspecified member of Simpkins’ family, made the following statement to reporters outside of her home in Northern Texas: “The decision he made, taking the gun, we are not justifying that. That was not right. But he was trying to protect himself.” His attorney, Kim Cole, also made her argument with the statement, “There are numerous shootings that have happened across this country, and they are all tragic. However, in this situation, this was someone who was just out to go and shoot up the school and had made up their mind: ‘hey, I’m upset and I’m just going to shoot up anyone I see.’”