Santana High School
Santana High School, located in Santee, California, is part of the Grossmont Union High School District.
Santana High School | |
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Address | |
9915 Magnolia Avenue , California 92071 | |
Coordinates | 32.857°N 116.970°W |
Information | |
Type | Public comprehensive secondary |
Motto | "Home of Scholars and Champions" |
Established | 1965 |
School district | Grossmont Union High School District |
Principal | Tim Schwuchow |
Faculty | 55.10 (FTE)[1] |
Grades | 9-12 |
Enrollment | 1,616 (2018-19)[1] |
Student to teacher ratio | 29.33[1] |
Campus | Urban |
Color(s) | Purple, Gold and White |
Nickname | Sultans |
Rival | West Hills High School |
Accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) |
Yearbook | Sultan Memories |
Website | Santana High School |
2001 shooting
On March 5, 2001, fifteen-year-old Charles Andrew Williams killed two, and wounded thirteen at Santana High School.[2] Bryan Zuckor, a fellow student, was the first killed, as he and another student, Trevor Edwards, were shot in the bathroom where Williams began. Williams then exited the bathroom, near the high school's small quad, and stood outside the bathroom doors, where he opened fire on surrounding students and faculty. There, he fatally shot another student, Randy Gordon, and wounded thirteen others (eleven students and two staff). Williams then returned to the bathroom where he continued shooting at students, later surrendering to the police.
Personal accounts of the events relate the initial confusion during the incident, describing the sound of the shots as "like firecrackers". Panic followed as people began to realize what was happening. Witnesses also describe Williams as "smiling" during the shooting. Referring to the chaos after the shooting, one parent remarked, "They just don't have a system to handle this." Students and faculty were evacuated to a nearby shopping center, and local businesses and churches helped to handle students and parents. Others also said that they heard him saying, weeks before the shootings, that he was "going to pull a Columbine".
He was apprehended by police in the same bathroom in which he started. He was later sentenced 50 years to life and will be eligible for parole in 2025.
Notable alumni
- Leon Bender, 1993, Professional Football Defensive Lineman (NFL), Oakland Raiders
- Alex Bowen, 2011, member of United States men's national water polo team
- Sharon Davis, 1972, former First Lady of California
- Terry Forster, 1970, retired Major League Baseball Relief Pitcher (MLB), Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Angels
- Lon Hinkle, 1967, professional golfer on the PGA Tour
- Brian Jones (born 1968), politician serving in the California State Senate
- Hayden Penn, 2002, former Major League Baseball Pitcher (MLB), Baltimore Orioles, Florida Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates
- Joe Price, 1974, former Major League Baseball pitcher (MLB), Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles
- Jim Tatum, 1985, former Major League Baseball Infielder (MLB), Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, New York Mets
- Dan Walters, 1994, Major League Baseball player. Catcher for San Diego Padres.
- Charles Andrew Williams, did not graduate, Santana High School shooter.
References
- "Santana High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20010308054023/http://www.thesandiegochannel.com/sand/news/stories/news-52409720010305-110346.html