Students at Westfield High School walked out of lessons on Tuesday, October 6, to honour 15-year-old Royce Witchet, who was fatally shot near the Houston-area campus two weeks earlier. His parents used the protest to speak publicly for the first time, accusing school officials and law enforcement of failing to protect their son.
Witchet was shot shortly after school ended on September 22 on a pavement close to Westfield High School and the Spring Independent School District administration building. He was taken to hospital in a critical condition and later died.
A 14-year-old, believed to be a fellow Spring ISD student, was arrested about 24 hours later and charged with murder, according to the Harris County sheriff. The suspect has not been publicly identified because of his age, and investigators have not disclosed a motive.
Family demands answers after Westfield High School shooting
Speaking outside the school after the walkout, Royce’s father, Xavier Witchet, said he arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the call and was distressed by what he saw.
“That was the last thing that a father should ever have to see — somebody not rendering aid,” he said. “As an officer, as somebody that’s supposed to protect these kids, [you were] nowhere in sight. And then when you was able to do something to try to help, you stood there. That’s not right.”
His mother, Rhonda Churchwell, described the days after the shooting as unbearable, saying it took five days before she was able to see her son.
“I couldn’t touch my baby. I couldn’t hold my baby. I couldn’t tell him I was sorry, it would be okay,” she said. “It stole something from me.”
The family has alleged that warnings about possible violence were passed to school administrators and police in the 24 hours before the shooting, but that no effective action was taken. Those claims have not been independently established.
Royce’s cousin, Michael “Big Texas” Holiday, said the family would continue pressing officials for answers.
“It was reported to administrators. It was reported to law enforcement. They failed to do their job,” he said. “So now, since they failed to do their job, we’re going to force them to do that job.”
The sheriff’s office previously said the shooting happened on a public pavement outside the school rather than inside the building. Authorities appealed for students who witnessed the incident or held video, messages or other information to come forward.
Xavier said his son should be remembered for his personality and family life, rather than the circumstances of his death. Royce was an athlete, a big brother and a cousin who loved dancing, TikTok and making people laugh, he said.
“My son wasn’t a bad kid,” Xavier said. “He did not deserve to be shot in his back like that.”
Students call for safer schools
The walkout came days after Royce’s funeral and amid heightened concern over violence involving Houston-area teenagers. Students and relatives called for greater accountability from Spring ISD and local officials, as well as safer routes around school grounds.
The family said it intended to remain visible outside the district headquarters and Westfield High School until concrete measures were announced. Spring ISD has said additional law enforcement and counselling support would remain available on campus.
Addressing students, relatives urged them to report threats or warning signs rather than remain silent.
“If you see something that’s going to hurt somebody, say something. That ain’t snitching,” they said. “Where are your eyes? Where are your ears? Where is the compassion? Where is our safety?”
The Witchet family said its campaign was now about more than seeking justice for Royce, and was intended to prevent another student in Texas from becoming a victim of gun violence near a school.
