First funeral due after 10 shot dead at school
THE first funeral for one of the 10 people shot dead at Santa Fe High School in Texas is due to be held.
Services for 17-year-old Pakistani exchange student Sabika Sheikh are scheduled for a mosque in Houston, said the Islamic Society for Greater Houston.
She had been attending classes at the school since last August when she was killed on Friday. Her body is to be returned to her family in Karachi, Pakistan.
Her father, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, described his daughter as a hardworking and accomplished student who aspired to work in civil service and hoped one day to join Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
Meanwhile, Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick has urged a “hardening” of school buildings in the wake of the shooting on Friday.
Mr Patrick blamed a US “culture of violence” and said more needs to be done to keep shooters away from students, such as restricting school entrances and arming teachers with guns.
He told CNN: “When you’re facing someone who’s an active shooter, the best way to take that shooter down is with a gun. But even better than that is four to five guns to one.”
Mr Patrick told network ABC he supports background checks for gun purchasers but added that “gun regulation starts at home.”
A 17-year-old student is being held on murder charges.