A 16-year-old junior at Stevens High School collapsed during an off-season athletic practice on Tuesday and later died at a hospital, school officials said. The student has been identified as Jaren Troy Lawson. The campus is offering grief counseling for students and staff while Northside ISD investigates what happened.
What Officials Say Happened
According to WOAI, athletic trainers evaluated Lawson at practice before emergency medical services transported him to a hospital, where he died shortly after midnight. District officials emphasized that his death occurred at the hospital, not on campus. They also said his coach went with him to the hospital and stayed for much of the evening.
District Response And Support
In a message to families, Stevens Principal Ryan Purtell told parents the school is “fully dedicated to providing the necessary emotional support and resources for our students, staff, and families during this time of mourning,” and counselors and support staff were made available on campus, according to KSAT. Northside Independent School District also confirmed it has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Lawson’s death.
A Week Of Sorrow For NISD
Lawson’s death came just days after a 15-year-old Marshall High School student was killed after being struck by a garbage truck, a separate tragedy the San Antonio Express-News reported. In response to the back-to-back losses, district officials said counselors are being deployed across Northside ISD to support students who are grieving.
What Comes Next
Officials have not yet released a cause of death and say it may take time for investigators to review medical records and other details, per WOAI. Northside ISD has asked for privacy for Lawson’s family as the community mourns, and the school has encouraged anyone who needs help to reach out to campus counseling services.
