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Former student found guilty of 2021 shooting that wounded 3 at Texas high school

July 21, 2023
Timothy Simpkins has been convicted of attempted capital murder in the shooting at Timberview High School in Arlington.

A Tarrant County, Texas jury has convicted former student Timothy Simpkins of attempted capital murder for a 2021 shooting at a high school in Arlington.

CBS Texas reports that Simpkins, now 19, who was a student at Timberview High School in the Mansfield Independent School District, was found guilty of shooting fellow students Zacchaeus Selby and Shaniya McNeely, as well as a teacher, Calvin Pettit, who still has a bullet lodged in his chest.

The shooting occurred on Oct. 6, 2021

The guilty verdict means Simpkins could face up to life in prison.

During closing arguments, Simpkins' attorney Marquetta Clayton described a fight before the shooting; a cellphone video shows Simpkins being attacked and stomped in the head by Selby. Clayton argued that Simpkins was a bullied student who was trying to protect himself.

Assistant District Attorney Lloyd Whelchel portrayed Simpkins as a "cold-blooded killer who just got lucky" because "he's a bad shot." He argued that Simpkins woke up with the intent to kill Selby, carrying a gun around school all day and pulling the trigger six times. 

About the Author

Mike Kennedy | Senior Editor

Mike Kennedy has been writing about education for American School & University since 1999. He also has reported on schools and other topics for The Chicago Tribune, The Kansas City Star, The Kansas City Times and City News Bureau of Chicago. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

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