Santa Fe High School Shooter Remains Incompetent to Stand Trial, Confined to Mental Health Facility
Santa Fe High School Shooting: Dimitrios Pagourtzis’ Long and Ongoing Journey
Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the 24-year-old man accused of killing 10 people in a 2018 shooting at Santa Fe High School, remains confined to a mental health facility after being deemed incompetent to stand trial.
Recent Developments
According to a court order signed by a Galveston County judge, physicians at a state hospital have determined that Pagourtzis is likely to cause serious harm to others, is suffering from severe and abnormal mental, emotional, or physical distress, and is experiencing substantial mental or physical deterioration of his ability to function independently.
Charges and Trial Status
Pagourtzis is currently under indictment on capital murder and aggravated assault of a peace officer charges in connection to the shooting, which occurred in May 2018. Despite being recommitted to the maximum security unit of North Texas State Hospital for restoration of competency to stand trial, it remains unclear when, if ever, physicians could make the determination that he is ready to face a trial.
Previous Attempts at Restoration of Competency
This is the seventh time Pagourtzis has been recommitted to the North Texas facility for up to an additional 12 months of treatment. Since being first committed to an inpatient mental health facility in November 2019, physicians have consistently determined that he remains unfit to stand trial.
Parents’ Liability
In a separate civil trial, the parents of the accused shooter were found not financially liable for the 2018 shooting. Attorneys for the victims’ families had attempted to prove that the shooter’s parents failed to prevent the massacre and obtain psychiatric treatment for their son.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current status of the trial?
A: The trial remains on hold due to Pagourtzis’ incompetence to stand trial.
Q: What are the charges against Pagourtzis?
A: Capital murder and aggravated assault of a peace officer.
Q: How many people were killed in the 2018 shooting?
A: 10 people were killed in the shooting.
Q: What was the outcome of the civil trial against the parents of the accused shooter?
A: The parents were found not financially liable for the shooting.
