Special-Education Teacher Shot Multiple Times Outside Highland Middle School; Juvenile Taken Into Custody

On Sept. 25, a juvenile allegedly shot a staff member on the grounds of Highland Middle School in Hobbs, New Mexico, leaving the teacher with multiple gunshot wounds, authorities said.

Officers from the Hobbs Police Department (HPD) arrived at the scene shortly before 11:40 a.m. after an initial report that was first described as a possible stabbing and later identified as a shooting. Police say officers secured the campus within minutes, accounted for students and staff, and located a male employee who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Highland Middle School in Hobbs, New MexicoCredit: Google

The victim's family has identified him as Kelly Matthews, a special-education teacher. According to his daughter and local media, Matthews was shot in the stomach and hip and may have been grazed by an additional bullet. He was transported to a nearby hospital and underwent surgery; school and police officials described him as stable and in "good spirits" following the operation.

School officials say the attack occurred while the teacher was outside the building. Details about why Matthews encountered the suspect remain unclear. Police described the alleged shooter as a juvenile male who produced a handgun, fired several times and fled on foot.

A Hobbs Police Department vehicleCredit: Hobbs Police Department/Facebook

A multi-agency search of the area concluded after a short foot pursuit when officers located and detained a juvenile a couple of blocks from the school, Superintendent Gene Strickland told the Hobbs News-Sun. The local report identified the youth as 13 years old; HPD has not publicly confirmed the suspect's age or whether he is a student at Highland Middle School.

No students were injured, district officials and police said. Coronado Elementary School, located nearby, was briefly secured while officers worked the scene.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, his family, and all those impacted by this event," the Hobbs Police Department said after the arrest.

Superintendent Strickland emphasized the district's focus on care and support: "Any incident involving one of our staff members is difficult for our school family. The appropriate safety protocols were followed today, and we will continue working closely with law enforcement as their investigation proceeds."

The investigation remains active. Authorities have not released a motive and continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. PEOPLE and local outlets reported on the incident; HPD and Highland Middle School did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.