Those close to UT gunman shed light on his life
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Watch the full family statement in the video above.The family of a man who opened fire on the University of Texas campus said they want to remember Colton Tooley for how he lived, not how he died.
The 19-year-old fired at least four rounds from an A-K 47 on 21st Street just after 8 Tuesday morning. He then shot himself inside the Perry-Castaneda Library.
Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for the family, who only identified himself as Marcus, said the entire family was shocked by the day’s events.
"There was nothing prior to this day – nothing - that would lead any of us to believe that this would take place; no signs at all – whatsoever," he said.
Marcus said his cousin was intelligent and "never usually expressed his emotions."
Craig Shapiro, the principal of Crockett High School, echoed the family's statements.
"Colton, a 2009 Crockett graduate, was an excellent student, who excelled in every subject, and was ranked seventh in his class," he wrote. "His teachers recall him with words such as 'brilliant,' 'meticulous,' and 'respectful.'"
The university directory states Colton was a sophomore math major.
Following the shooting, the campus was locked down for about five hours, and buildings were evacuated. No one else was injured.
Shortly after the lockdown ended, police searched a South Austin home where Tooley lived with his parents. Authorities were seen removing items from the home on Western Drive.
All of us in the Crockett High School community are shocked and saddened by today’s tragedy at the University of Texas. Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Colton Tooley.
Colton, a 2009 Crockett graduate, was an excellent student, who excelled in every subject, and was ranked 7th in his class. His teachers recall him with words such as “brilliant,” “meticulous,” and “respectful.”
Crockett High School will have additional counselors on campus, beginning Wednesday, to assist students and staff who request their services.
I respectfully request that the news media refrain from coming on to the Crockett campus, and attempting to speak with students or staff. These have been two difficult weeks for our community, with the loss of Colton, and the death of student James Hinojosa in the train accident last week. Our school needs time to heal from our losses.
Thank you.