Texas governor meeting with students, shooting survivors

By Jim Vertuno Associated Press

Thursday, May 24, 2018 12:06 AM

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) The focus of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's meetings on school safety and mass shootings is shifting to those closest to the recent violence, including students, surviving victims and even one person who grabbed a gun and fought back.

Thursday's meeting will feature more than 30 people who can provide personal accounts of the attack on a high school in Santa Fe last week, and last November's shooting at a rural church in Sutherland Springs.

Most of the invited are students, families and staff from Santa Fe. Also invited are two survivors of the church shooting, the church pastor, and Stephen Willeford, who has been hailed as a hero for grabbing a rifle and shooting back at the church attacker.

Abbott and Texas are being closely watched for how the state reacts to the violence of recent mass shootings.

Texas governor meeting with students, shooting survivors

Ed Scruggs, Board Vice-Chair of Texas Gun Sense Advocacy group that promotes common sense, right, listens to Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, left, during a roundtable discussion to address safety and security at Texas schools in the wake of the shooting at Santa Fe, at the state Capitol in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Abbott, a Republican who has worked to expand gun rights in the state, called for the meetings as he weighs ideas for possible legislative action or executive orders. Two dozen groups were invited to attend the session, which was expected to include conversations on monitoring students' mental health. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Associated Press

Alice Tripp, Legislative Director of the Texas State Rifle Association, left, shakes hand with Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, center, following a roundtable discussion to address safety and security at Texas schools in the wake of the shooting at Santa Fe, at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Ed Scruggs, Board Vice-Chair of Texas Gun Sense, is at right. Abbott, a Republican who has worked to expand gun rights in the state, called for the meetings as he weighs ideas for possible legislative action or executive orders. Two dozen groups were invited to attend the session, which was expected to include conversations on monitoring students' mental health. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Associated Press

Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott, at microphones at center, hosts a roundtable discussion to address safety and security at Texas schools in the wake of the shooting at Santa Fe, at the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Abbott, a Republican who has worked to expand gun rights in the state, called for the meetings as he weighs ideas for possible legislative action or executive orders. Two dozen groups were invited to attend the session, which was expected to include conversations on monitoring students' mental health. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Associated Press

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, center, takes part in a roundtable discussion to address safety and security at Texas schools in the wake of the shooting at Sante Fe, in Austin, Texas, Wednesday, May 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

The Associated Press

Two children look at a memorial for the Santa Fe High School shooting victims outside the school Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Santa Fe, Texas. (Godofredo A. Vasquez /Houston Chronicle via AP)

The Associated Press

Women visit a memorial for the Santa Fe High School shooting victims outside the school Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Santa Fe, Texas. (Godofredo A. Vasquez /Houston Chronicle via AP)

The Associated Press