Middle School Teacher Shoots Sleeping Son, Stepdaughter During Argument With His Wife

A middle school teacher has been arrested for allegedly shooting his son and stepdaughter during an argument with his wife in Mansfield, Texas.

Thomas Boykin, 52, turned violent during the altercation that ensued between him and his wife in Arabian Court on Tuesday night and went on to assault her, NBC 5 reported.

Boykin then grabbed a handgun and went to his son's bedroom while the boy was asleep, officials reportedly said. The man allegedly shot the 13-year-old boy and went to his 21-year-old stepdaughter's bedroom afterward.

He allegedly shot his stepdaughter as well.

The wife managed to get out of the house, and the stepdaughter called 911.

Mansfield Police Department officers were dispatched to the address at around 10:40 p.m. on the same night. They determined upon arrival that the incident was a domestic dispute.

Boykin was arrested while his son and stepdaughter were taken to the hospital, where they both underwent surgery for their gunshot wounds.

Officers "located the suspect identified as Thomas Boykin, a 52-year-old male, inside of the residence and he was taken into custody without incident," the police department said in a statement released via Facebook. "Officers located a 13-year-old male and a 21-year-old female with apparent gunshot wounds. They were both transported to Medical City Arlington by Mansfield medics."

The son and stepdaughter were reportedly in serious but stable condition.

"This is still an active investigation and detectives are still trying to determine what led up to the shooting," the police department added. "Thomas Boykin was transported to the Everman Jail and was charged with 3 counts of Aggravated Assault Family Violence Serious Bodily Injury."

Administrators confirmed in a statement that Boykin was an 8th-grade science teacher at Linda Jobe Middle School and said he has worked with the Mansfield Independent School District for about 17 years, according to CBS News.

He was placed on leave after the shooting incident came to light.

The superintendent is processing his termination and is awaiting the school board's approval, the statement added.

"Mansfield ISD does not condone this type of behavior in our schools or community. Our thoughts and support are with the victims," the district said, as per the outlet.