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20th May 2018

NFL star J.J. Watt offers to cover funeral costs of school shooting victims

Jack O'Toole

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has offered to cover the funeral costs of the 10 people (eight students and two teachers) that were killed in a shooting at Santa Fe High School on Friday.

A 17-year-old carrying a shotgun and revolver opened fire at the high school which is located about 35 miles from Houston city centre.

Dimitrios Pagourtzis has been charged with murder following the tragedy and he waived his right to remain silent to admit “to shooting multiple people”, according to an affidavit filed in court.

Watt has been an active presence in the Houston community since he was drafted by the Texans in 2011 and he raised over $37 million for those affected by the flooding from Hurricane Harvey last August.

The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year wrote that the shooting was ‘absolutely horrific’ on his Twitter account and news spread quickly that he was willing to cove the funeral costs.

https://twitter.com/TwitterMoments/status/997696875426758657

The Texans also released a statement on the shooting.

“On behalf of the Texans organization, we are saddened by the tragic events at Sante Fe High School this morning and extend our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to the victims, their families and all those affected. We are grateful for the brave first responders, law enforcement officials and medical personnel. The Texans family will continue to pray for our neighbors.”