Dalhart ISD, police identify student killed in accidental shooting in school parking lot

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Dalhart ISD and police identified the student who was killed in an accidental shooting in the school parking lot.Preston Ralston, 15, was killed Monday afternoo

DALHART, Texas — Dalhart ISD and police identified the student who was killed in an accidental shooting in the school parking lot.

Preston Ralston, 15, was killed Monday afternoon when a gun was accidentally discharged in a vehicle.

The district went into lockdown at the request of law enforcement while the situation was investigated. Once it was determined there was no threat, the lockdown was lifted.

Parents were notified of the incident a little before 2 p.m., a statement from the district said.

The high school campus was dismissed at 2 p.m. while other campuses were released at normal times.

The district also said there are experienced counselors available to talk with anyone in need. The Region 16 Educational Service Center crisis team and Dalhart Ministerial Alliance team are at the high school students or faculty needing to talk to someone.

The following message from Preston's family was posted on the Dalhart ISD website.

We want everyone to know this was an accident. We want those involved to know, that we know this was an accident.