Hunters Taken into Custody After Shooting Firearms Near Elementary School

Lubbock Police raced to Frenship ISD's Willow Bend Elementary School Wednesday afternoon after receiving a 'shots fired' call just after 4p.  After arriving on the scene, officers found five people dove hunting in an open field adjacent to the school.

Students had already been dismissed for the day when police were called and Frenship ISD officials locked the campus down.

Captain Jonathan Caspell told KFYO News, "We believe these five individuals were hunting. They may have been reckless in the direction their gunfire was going.  Two people, we believe, may have been sprayed by shotgun pellets."

What possible charges could these individuals face? "I think most likely, some form of a deadly conduct charge," Captain Caspell said. "Which is defined by firing firearms recklessly in the direction of a school or residence or business. We don't think the school was being targeted and don't think it's an aggravated assault situation.  We think this was probably more being reckless in what they were doing out in this field."

A deadly conduct charge can be prosecuted as a Class A Misdemeanor or a Class Three Felony.

As of 6p, Wednesday, the five individuals were in police custody and being questioned at the scene. Their identities have not been released. Willow Bend Elementary School is located at 8816 13th Street in West Lubbock.