Hilllsboro police apprehended two teenagers Monday night believed to be responsible for a deadly shooting at a house party over the weekend.
One of the shooting victims — a 17-year-old student at Hillsboro High School — died of his injuries. The other victim, a 16-year-old student at Liberty High School, was treated for less serious injuries and is expected to recover.
“By the night of October 23, 2023, two shooting suspects were identified and taken into police custody,” Hillsboro police said in a brief statement Tuesday. “Both suspects are 17-year-old males.”
School officials confirmed Wednesday that the two suspects are also students in the Hillsboro district.
Officers said they had arrested the two 17-year-olds with the assistance of the Washington County Major Crimes Team and administered aid to the teens who’d been shot. Neither school nor law enforcement officials would share further details because it involves minors and an ongoing police investigation.
Hillsboro School District officials took steps on Monday to beef up the police presence at four high school campuses, and they provided counselors to help students. In a statement sent by communications officer Beth Graser Wednesday, school district officials expressed a mix of emotions at learning of the arrests.
“We are both relieved and heartbroken by news of the arrest,” the HSD message said. “For the families of the victims, the students who bore witness to or were in the vicinity of the situation, other students who have been fearful for their safety since the incident, and for the broader community — this news brings some measure of comfort.”
At the same time, district officials acknowledged their concern about the students who’ve been accused of a deadly shooting.
“Of course, it is deeply troubling that it was fellow teenagers who allegedly engaged in this sort of senseless, avoidable violence,” the message said.