SANTA FE, Texas – Victims and families of the deadly Santa Fe High School shooting are getting their day in court.
The civil trial starts Monday against 23-year-old shooting suspect, Dimitrios Pagourtzis’ parents.
Victims, loved ones and witnesses of the 10 people killed in the shooting gathered Sunday night ahead of the trial.
The families, survivors and witnesses from the deadly Santa Fe High School shooting believe Pagourtzis’s parents should have done a better job at monitoring his mental health and restricting his access to guns.
The night before the civil trial, loved ones privately gathered outside Santa Fe High School, spreading hope.
“We’ve been waiting a long time for more answers, and the day’s finally here, and we’re all happy,” said Rosie Yanas Stone.
Stone says her son, Chris Stone, died while using his body as a barricade to prevent the shooter from hurting his classmates.
“I think the 10 deserve justice and I think that my son deserves justice. He was a hero that day, and I want to continue the fight that he started,” she said.
Stone’s son was one of the eight students and two teachers who were shot and killed in May 2018.
Dimitrios Pagourtzis was 17 at the time when investigators say he opened fire inside Santa Fe High School. The civil trial is against his parents.
“We are suing the parents because of their, irresponsible gun ownership,” Stone said. “I truly believe that if they would have had more ownership of their weapons, we probably wouldn’t be in the situation that we’re in.”
Stone told KPRC 2 Reporter Corley Peel that she plans to testify in the trial.
“Yes. I will be, taking the stand, I will testify,” Stone said.
“Do you know what you want to say to them (Pagourtzis’s parents)?” Corley Peel asked.
“I’ve waited six years. I know exactly what I want to say to them, and, I can’t wait,” Stone said.
Pagourtzis was charged with capital murder after the deadly shooting. He has not faced a criminal trial after he was ruled incompetent and placed in a state hospital.
“I never gave up hope. Still, like, I don’t give up hope that only we may one day see the killer go to trial. I live off of hope. I don’t ever want to lose hope,” Stone said. “And the only thing that I want people to take from this is every fault that you find, fix it. Every loophole that you see, fix it. Every good that you see, praise it. Don’t try to just brush everything underneath the rug.”
The civil trial is expected to take three weeks. Jury selection starts Monday morning.