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NFL Player JJ Watt Offers To Pay For Funerals Of Santa Fe School Shooting

NFL Player JJ Watt Offers To Pay For Funerals Of Santa Fe School Shooting

The Texans' star called the shooting 'absolutely horrific'

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Kind-hearted NFL played JJ Watt has offered to pay for the funerals of all the victims of the Sant Fe High School shooting.

Ten people were killed and another 13 others wounded after 17-year-old gunman Dimitrios Pagourtzis opened fire on Friday morning, ABC reports.

Eight of those killed were students and have been named as Kimberly Vaughanm Shana Fisher, Angelique Ramirez, Christian Riley Garcia, Jared Black, Sabika Sheikh, Christopher Jake Stone and Aaron Kyle McLeod; two teachers - Glenda Perkins and Cynthia Tisdale - were also killed.

PA

According to witnesses Pagourtzis shouted: "You're going to pay," before firing. He is said to have used a shotgun and revolver, both of which were legally-owned by his father. Authorities also said they found a number of explosive devices in and around the school.

He has since been arrested and is being held on capital murder charges; investigators have said he has admitted to 'shooting multiple people'.

Shortly after news broke of the attack, Watt, who plays for the Texans, took to twitter:

In a statement, the Texans said: "On behalf of the Texans organisation, 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 neighbours."

This isn't the first generous gesture by the NFL-star, he helped raise over $37million (£24m) last year after he launched a fundraiser for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said: "[This] has to be the worst disaster ever to strike this community...and one of the most heinous attacks in the history of Texas."

While President Donald Trump took to Twitter to say it was a 'very sad day'.

Trump has previously promised to take action on gun violence following the Parkland shootings in Florida, which resulted in the deaths of 17 people in February this year.

A number of the survivors of the attack have since been calling for changes to gun control laws and founded the March For Our Lives protests which saw thousands taking part in demonstrations across the US.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: School shooting, US News, NFL