Parents on Trial for School Shooter's Actions

Attorneys delivered their closing arguments on Friday in the civil trial concerning the parents of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the shooter responsible for the 2018 Santa Fe High School massacre that claimed ten lives. Survivors and victims' families have accused Antonios Pagourtzis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos of neglecting their son’s deteriorating mental health and failing to secure their firearms adequately. The parents maintain they were unaware of any warning signs and assert that their guns were properly stored. During the proceedings, plaintiffs’ attorney Clint McGuire emphasized that the Pagourtzis parents were aware of their son’s mental health struggles and had a responsibility to seek help. He argued that their inaction contributed to the tragedy, stating, “If parents know a child has a mental illness... it’s that parent’s job to get that child help.” McGuire also referenced disturbing writings by Dimitrios, which indicated premeditated violent intentions, suggesting he understood the gravity of his actions. In contrast, the defense attorney sought to shift the focus back to the shooter, asserting that the parents did not provide him with a firearm. They highlighted that Dimitrios had taken guns from their cabinet without their knowledge. Additionally, the defense pointed to external factors, including the role of an online retailer, Lucky Gunner, which sold ammunition to the shooter without age verification, and the school’s failure to address concerning behaviors exhibited by him. The trial has underscored the complexities surrounding parental responsibility, mental health awareness, and the broader implications of gun access in tragic events.