Video: Hobbs police arrest 13-year-old accused of shooting middle school teacher

HOBBS, N.M. (KRQE) – KRQE News is seeing the aftermath of a school shooting in Hobbs that left a teacher badly wounded. Newly released video shows the moments police caught up with the 13-year-old suspect.

Hobbs police can be heard asking, “Is this a kid? We don’t know yet, we’re looking it up,” as they ran up to an injured teacher at Highland Middle School in Hobbs on September 25.

The shooting happened just before 11:40 in the morning, and when police arrived, they found teacher Kelly Mathews near the school’s back doors with multiple gunshot wounds. School nurses tended to Mathews until medical personnel arrived. Despite his injuries, Mathews managed to give police a description of the gunman.

Police call in the details shared by Mathews, saying, “He advises a young adult. He just turned around and started shooting at him.”

“I know he was wearing some kind of glasses and a mask of some kind,” said Mathews.

“He said he was wearing glasses and a mask, unknown clothing, possibly younger male,” police repeated.

Police chased the teen, identified as Ryker Teel, into an alleyway where he was arrested. Teel can be heard apologizing and asking about Mathews.

“Is he dead? I’m sorry, I’m sorry, is he dead?” Ryker Teel asks police.

The officers put Teel in a cruiser and take into custody. Meanwhile, parents showed up at the school asking for their kids. Police then released students one by one. Mathews was eventually transported to a hospital in Lubbock, Texas. The Hobbs Police Department said Mathews is no longer in critical condition and he will be starting physical therapy soon.

Teel is facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault and battery on a school personnel, shooting threats, and tampering with evidence.

The Teel family issued a statement through their attorney:

We are deeply saddened and heartbroken over the tragic event that took place at Hobbs Highland Middle School. We have and will continue to pray for the wellbeing and healing of the victim, his family, and the community.