The Hidalgo sheriff's department is investigating the shooting of two students at Harwell Middle School in North Edinburg.
In a press conference, Sheriff Lupe Treviño said bullets struck two male students when they were trying out for the basketball team at the basketball courts outside the school, at about 5:10 p.m.
Sheriff Treviño said one of the boys was struck in the back, while the other was struck just under the arm pit.
A spokesman for the Edinburg CISD confirmed the two students were in 7th and 8th grades.
One was taken to McAllen Medical Center and the other the Rio Grande Regional Hospital.
Sheriff Treviño said one of the students had a bullet embedded in one of his internal organs and is in critical condition, but did not elaborate which student.
One Person in Custody
The sheriff also confirmed that the shots did not come from inside the school, but a brushland near the outdoor basketball courts.
He added the bullets might have been fired by hunters because the area northwest of the school is leased out to deer hunters.
Sheriff Treviño said one person is in police custody. They also seized his .223 caliber assault rifle.
A helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety also helped locate two additional hunters. They were momentarily detained for questioning, but where released shortly after.
Back to School
Edinburg CISD Spokesman Gilbert Tagle told Action 4 News classes will resume tomorrow morning at their regularly scheduled time.
He added counselors will be on site and available to talk to any student who needs it.
The campus will also be re-inforced with extra security guards from the district.
Action 4 News will post more information as it becomes available.
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