2 Killed in Shooting at New Mexico High School

2 Killed in Shooting at New Mexico High School

Two students and the suspected shooter were killed in a shooting Thursday morning at Aztec High School in Aztec, N.M.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Dec 07, 2017

[UPDATED Dec. 8, 2017 at 1:12 p.m.]

San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen identified the gunman in Thursday’s New Mexico high school shooting as a 21-year-old former student of the school. The Aztec, N.M., shooting left two students dead.

According to Christesen, the gunman used a Glock pistol he had purchased locally and legally and was carrying multiple magazines. Officials said he had planned the shooting and was able to enter the school at about 8:04 a.m. by disguising himself as a student.

“He was able to mingle with the students,” said Chief Pete Kassetas of the New Mexico State Police. “He was able to walk into the school undetected.”

The gunman walked up and down hallways firing randomly into classrooms, according to authorities. They believe he took his own life.

Officials praised the quick reactions of teachers and staff who locked down the school and kept students safe.

“Teachers instinctively did exactly what they were trained to do, and as a result they saved lives,” Christesen said.

Terry Wade, FBI special agent in charge in Albuquerque, said the gunman had come under investigation in March 2016 after making generic comments in a gaming forum. At the time, he did not own any weapons and had no ties to any organizations or any plans for an attack.

Wade said the FBI then closed the investigation after determining no crime was committed.

Authorities said they found a thumb drive on the suspect and are currently going through its contents.

The investigation is ongoing.

Original story posted below.

Two students and the suspected shooter were killed in a shooting Thursday morning at Aztec High School in Aztec, N.M. No information has been released as to who the shooter was.

According to a statement by the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President, 15 others are injured. However, the New Mexico State Police have not confirmed that.

Deputies and Lt. Kyle Lincoln of the San Juan County Sheriff Department cleared the building and actively searched the school. Students were evacuated and transported to a safe location where parents could check in with an ID and pick them up.

The San Juan County Sheriff Department is taking the lead on the investigation. 

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • AI Is Now the Leading Cybersecurity Concern for Security, IT Leaders

    Arctic Wolf recently published findings from its State of Cybersecurity: 2025 Trends Report, offering insights from a global survey of more than 1,200 senior IT and cybersecurity decision-makers across 15 countries. Conducted by Sapio Research, the report captures the realities, risks, and readiness strategies shaping the modern security landscape. Read Now

  • Analysis of AI Tools Shows 85 Percent Have Been Breached

    AI tools are becoming essential to modern work, but their fast, unmonitored adoption is creating a new kind of security risk. Recent surveys reveal a clear trend – employees are rapidly adopting consumer-facing AI tools without employer approval, IT oversight, or any clear security policies. According to Cybernews Business Digital Index, nearly 90% of analyzed AI tools have been exposed to data breaches, putting businesses at severe risk. Read Now

  • Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

    Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape. Read Now

  • Motorola Solutions Named Official Safety Technology Supplier of the Ryder Cup through 2027

    Motorola Solutions has today been named the Official Safety Technology Supplier of the 2025 and 2027 Ryder Cup, professional golf’s renowned biennial team competition between the United States and Europe. Read Now

  • Evolving Cybersecurity Strategies

    Organizations are increasingly turning their attention to human-focused security approaches, as two out of three (68%) cybersecurity incidents involve people. Threat actors are shifting from targeting networks and systems to hacking humans via social engineering methods, living off human errors as their most prevalent attack vector. Whether manipulated or not, human cyber behavior is leveraged to gain backdoor access into systems. This mainly results from a lack of employee training and awareness about evolving attack techniques employed by malign actors. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.