Following the tragic shooting at Hill Country College Preparatory High School, the Comal Independent School District (CISD) is emphasizing the importance of ongoing emotional support for students. Even after a crisis concludes, the lasting emotional impact of such an event on children can be significant.

Tragic Incident Details

The shooting occurred on March 30, 2026, at the New Braunfels campus in Comal ISD. A 15-year-old student was involved in an incident where they shot a teacher before taking their own life.

Parental Guidance for Emotional Recovery

Comal ISD advises parents that children may exhibit a wide array of emotions after experiencing a traumatic event like a school shooting. It is crucial for adults to recognize these reactions and offer a supportive environment.

Parents should be prepared for various emotional responses from their children. The district encourages open conversations, validating feelings such as being upset, worried, or confused.

Some students might prefer non-verbal expression through creative outlets like drawing, writing, or music. Adults are urged to listen calmly, avoiding the impulse to immediately try and resolve the child's feelings, as a steady, calm presence is often the most reassuring.

Strategies for Maintaining Stability

To help ease lingering fear, families can remind children that adults within the school and the wider community are dedicated to student safety. Consistency is key; maintaining regular routines helps provide a sense of normalcy.

Families should also limit exposure to rumors and social media related to the event. Monitoring children for persistent changes in sleep patterns, appetite, mood, or overall behavior is an important step in ongoing support.

Available Mental Health Resources

School counselors and student support specialists are available on campus to speak with any student needing assistance. Parents are also encouraged to consult their child’s pediatrician or seek out licensed mental health professionals.

Local and Crisis Support Contacts

Several external resources are available for comprehensive care and immediate crisis intervention:

  • Texas Health and Human Services: Provides integrated care for mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities. Contact the main line at 833-501-2424 or the Crisis Helpline at 800-316-9241.
  • Virtual Counseling Services: Offers accessible virtual treatment for students, covering short-term counseling for issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and self-harm, along with medication management referrals.
  • The Children's Bereavement Center of South Texas: Provides grief camps, support groups, and counseling for children and teens in a secure setting. Call 830-625-7525.
  • Communities In Schools of South Central Texas: Offers support services for students.
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Free, confidential support available 24/7 via call or text. Texting “CONNECT” to 741741 reaches the Crisis Text Line.
  • Family Violence Prevention Services: Offers safe services for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence at 830-620-4357.
  • The Children’s Alliance of South Texas: A trauma-focused care center serving child victims and survivors of abuse and neglect, reachable at 210-675-9000.