Family of Alleged Texas School Shooter Timothy George Simpkins Cites Bullying

The family of Timothy George Simpkins — the 18-year-old suspect in the Arlington, Texas, high school shooting that left four injured — says bullying played a factor in the teenager’s alleged use of violence.

On Wednesday, the same day that Timothy was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police say he opened fire at Timberview High School following a fight, Carrol Harrison — identified by WFAA as a spokesperson for the Simpkins family — claimed Timothy was trying to protect himself from his bullying classmates.

“He was scared. He was afraid. There’s a video that’s all out on social media that show he was being attacked,” Carrol said, potentially referencing a video that has circulated on Twitter of a teenager reportedly identified as Timothy getting into a fight with another student.

Carrol went on to say that Timothy may have been bullied in school because he wore nice clothes and drove expensive cars.

“It wasn’t just one person that would attack him and bully him, and taking his money, harassing him due to the fact that he had more things than maybe others.”

Despite this, Carrol says the Simpkins family is not trying to justify Timothy’s alleged actions, and hopes the police department conducts a proper investigation.

She also apologized to the victims and their families, asking them “for forgiveness of any type of hurt.”

According to Arlington Police public information officer Brenda Van Sickle, officials arrived at the school at about 9:15 a.m.

"Apparently, it started between a fight between two students; one pulled out a gun. It is not a random thing," Van Sickle told People.

"There was only one person shooting," Van Sickle added. "This is an isolated thing between the two. Simpkins got into a fight with another student."

That afternoon, KDFW-TV reports that Simpkins turned himself in to authorities with his attorney. He is currently being held on a $75,000 bond.

The news channel also said that police discovered a .45-caliber gun they believe was used in the shooting a few miles from the school.

Per WFAA, three victims had to be taken to a hospital, including two who had gunshot wounds. Fortunately, police say all three are reported to be “okay.”

According to WFAA, a 15-year-old victim and student is out of surgery and is recovering in the intensive care unit at a local hospital. Another victim, a 25-year-old man, did not have to undergo surgery and is in "good condition."

Reportedly, a teenage female victim, possibly grazed by a bullet, may have been released from the hospital Wednesday.

The fourth victim, a pregnant woman who was believed to have been hurt in a fall, was treated at the scene and released.