Hobbs Police Say 13-Year-Old Shot Highland Middle School Teacher Outside Campus, Leaving Kelly Matthews Hospitalized in Critical Condition After Officers Recovered a Handgun and Made an Arrest
HOBBS, NM — A 13-year-old boy is in custody after police say he shot and seriously wounded a teacher outside Highland Middle School in Hobbs, New Mexico. Hobbs Police Chief James Jones described the attack as a “tragic and violent act” and said officers later recovered a semi-automatic handgun they believe was used in the shooting.
The teacher, Kelly Matthews, remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition, Jones said at a news conference Sunday. Police said the shooting happened shortly before noon Friday near the back doors of the school. Authorities have not said that Matthews was targeted in advance, and they have not released a possible motive.
Police say the shooting happened between classes near the back doors
Jones said the teen went outside the building between classes on Friday and that Matthews later walked outside and around a corner, where he encountered the suspect. Police say the boy then began firing immediately.
The confrontation took place just before noon, in an area close to the rear of the school. Officers have not described how many shots were fired. They have also not said whether anyone else was nearby when the shooting began, though school staff and officers responded quickly once the violence started.
Police said nurses at the school stepped in to help Matthews while officers moved to secure the scene. The rapid response became one of the central details in the police account of how the shooting unfolded.
Teacher Kelly Matthews remains hospitalized in critical condition
Matthews was taken to the hospital after the shooting and was still being treated Sunday. Jones said he was considered stable but remained in critical condition.
Authorities did not provide an update on the extent of Matthews’ injuries beyond describing them as serious. Police also did not say when he may be released from the hospital. The teacher’s condition has become the main focus for the community as investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Jones did not identify any prior dispute between Matthews and the student. Police said there is no information showing that Matthews was specifically targeted beforehand, and the investigation into what led up to the shooting is still open.
The 13-year-old was captured after a short foot chase
After fleeing the school, the teen ran toward a residential area, according to police. Officers spotted him a few blocks away and arrested him after a brief foot pursuit, Jones said.
Police said the suspect was taken into custody soon after the shooting, limiting how far he was able to get from the campus. Officers also recovered the firearm they believe was used in the attack.
The arrest happened after a fast-moving search in the neighborhood around the school. Jones said the teen is now being held on charges that include aggravated assault on school personnel, shooting threats and unlawfully carrying a deadly weapon.
School nurses and officers worked to contain the violence
Hobbs Schools Board President Terry O’Brien praised the officers’ response, saying their quick actions prevented the situation from becoming worse. Police said the school nurses also played an immediate role by tending to Matthews at the scene.
That response, officials said, helped stabilize the situation while officers secured the area around Highland Middle School. The police chief has emphasized that the violence did not spread further beyond the initial shooting.
Authorities have not said whether additional security measures were already in place before Friday’s incident. But the account from police and school officials highlighted how staff and officers acted within minutes of the attack.
Hobbs schools will reopen Monday with a larger police presence
Despite the shooting, classes are set to resume Monday. Police said they will increase the number of officers at local schools, with particular attention on Highland Middle School.
The added presence is meant to reassure students, parents and staff after a violent episode that shook the district. Jones did not provide a timetable for how long the increased patrols will remain in place, but he said the department intends to focus closely on the middle school.
The case remains active as investigators continue reviewing what happened before the shooting, how the gun was obtained and why the teen fired at the teacher. For now, police say the main priorities are Matthews’ recovery, student safety and maintaining a strong presence around the campus.
