Aztec High School shooting

On December 7, 2017, a mass shooting occurred at Aztec High School in Aztec, New Mexico, United States. The perpetrator was a former student, 21-year-old William Atchison, that shot and killed two people before attempting to enter a classroom full of students. After failing to do so and the police closing in on him, Atchison committed suicide.

Shooting
At 8:04 A.M., 21-year-old former student William Atchison entered his old high school, disguised as a student with a gun in his backpack. He hid in the boy's bathroom for a while before a student walked in, Atchison killing him. The gunman then left the bathroom and killed another student before attempting to enter a nearby classroom. A lockdown announcement rang throughout the school, alerting everyone to Atchison's presence. A substitute teacher, 74-year-old Katie Potter, did not have keys to the classroom forcing her to usher all of her students into the classroom office and push a couch in front of the door. Atchison tried to get in and shot several rounds through the office wall but eventually gave up. As police closed in on his location, Atchison shot himself in the head. Teachers and students were exited out through the back and were picked up by parents/relatives at nearby McGee Park.

Victims
In total, two people were killed, both students of the school:


 * Casey Marquez, 17


 * Francisco Fernandez, 17

Perpetrator
William Atchison, 21, previously attended Aztec High School but dropped out before graduating. He worked at a local gas station and also made videos on YouTube under the name "Vance Stone". He was investigated by the FBI in March 2016 because of suspicious comments he made online, specifically asking on what guns are best to commit a mass shooting with. After investigators determined he had no firearms, the case against Atchison was closed.

Reactions
New Mexico governor, Susana Martinez commended the heroic acts of bravery from staff, students and police, stating that "All New Mexicans are with Aztec today". Senator Martin Heinrich called to address the nation's "epidemic of gun violence" and stated "No matter the odds, I will continue to seek common ground with my colleagues in order to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would turn them on our families, friends and neighbors."