Credits: KTRK-TV via PBS
SANTA FE, Texas– As the civil trial against the parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the alleged shooter in the deadly Santa Fe High School shooting, begins, victims and families are seeking justice.
On Sunday night, ahead of the trial’s start, those affected by the tragedy gathered for a private prayer vigil outside Santa Fe High School. The emotional gathering was marked by a shared hope for accountability and answers.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for more answers, and the day’s finally here, and we’re all happy,” said Rosie Yanas Stone, whose son, Chris Stone, was one of the ten victims. Chris Stone died while heroically using his body as a barricade to protect his classmates.
“I think the 10 deserve justice, and I think that my son deserves justice. He was a hero that day, and I want to continue the fight that he started,” Rosie Stone said.
In May 2018, Pagourtzis, then 17, allegedly opened fire inside Santa Fe High School, killing eight students and two teachers. The civil trial targets his parents, who the victims’ families believe failed to monitor their son’s mental health and restrict his access to firearms.
“We are suing the parents because of their irresponsible gun ownership,” Rosie Stone said. “I truly believe that if they would have had more ownership of their weapons, we probably wouldn’t be in the situation that we’re in.”
Rosie Stone plans to testify during the trial, expressing her long-awaited desire to address Pagourtzis’s parents directly. “I’ve waited six years. I know exactly what I want to say to them, and I can’t wait,” she said.
Pagourtzis was charged with capital murder but has not faced a criminal trial after being ruled incompetent and placed in a state hospital. Rosie Stone remains hopeful for future criminal proceedings. “I never gave up hope. Still, like, I don’t give up hope that only we may one day see the killer go to trial. I live off of hope. I don’t ever want to lose hope,” she said. “And the only thing that I want people to take from this is every fault that you find, fix it. Every loophole that you see, fix it. Every good that you see, praise it. Don’t try to just brush everything underneath the rug.”
The civil trial is set to last three weeks, with jury selection beginning Monday morning.