Teacher wounded in classroom shot herself, school officials say

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A school teacher who reported being shot in her empty classroom confessed to authorities that she shot herself.<br><br>Teacher Kathy Morris had also sent herself threatening letters,

Tuesday, April 11th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- A school teacher who reported being shot in her empty classroom confessed to authorities that she shot herself.

Teacher Kathy Morris had also sent herself threatening letters, Pima County sheriff's spokeswoman Deanna Coultas said Tuesday.

Morris told authorities she did it to highlight the lack of security at the school.

"However, we're dealing with irrational thinking and irrational behavior," Coultas said.

She said authorities were looking into other motives and past incidents with the school but declined to elaborate, citing confidentiality issues. Morris has taught at the school since 1991.

Morris reported Monday that she had been shot in the shoulder in her classroom by a young Hispanic man after excusing herself from a staff meeting. The shooting occurred about 90 minutes before students were scheduled to begin class.

Morris, 35, was in fair condition Tuesday at University Medical Center. Morris has declined all requests for interviews, according to hospital spokeswoman Vicki Gaubeca.

"Ms. Morris' allegation was destructive, damaging, and insulting to our students and members of the district's minority community," district Superintendent Robert J. Smith said Tuesday.

Smith said Morris had been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation.

Coultas said investigators found a gun that had been fired once in a false bottom of Morris' purse.

Coultas said Morris was not immediately facing any criminal charges, but the Pima County attorney's office was seeking to have
her sent to a mental health facility.

A school custodian told investigators he heard a shot but there were no witnesses, Coultas said.

After the shooting, sheriff's deputies, including SWAT officers, searched the two-story school before expanding their search into the neighborhood.

After all other teachers and school personnel were accounted for, school officials canceled classes Monday. Students returned to class Tuesday.