An El Paso (Texas) Independent School District (EPISD) police officer shot and killed a man in his 50s outside Franklin High School on Thursday, August 22, 2024, in what authorities describe as an isolated incident. The shooting occurred before classes started, prompting the school to cancel all activities for the day.
According to police officials, the shooting took place near the perimeter of the high school’s campus, with no students or staff involved or injured. A small group of cross-country students were present on campus for early morning practice, but they were not near the shooting and were promptly secured in a safe location by school officials.
EPISD Police Chief Manuel Chavira stated that his department responded to a report of an incident near the school before the shooting. He emphasized that the officers took quick action to ensure the safety of both students and staff and assured the community that there were no additional threats.
The man was identified later on August 24 as retired FBI Agent Julio Cordero. He was allegedly found vandalizing the school where his oldest son is a senior. Days after his death his family says they still have not been given information about the incident or told when they can recover his body for his funeral.
According to his family, after retiring from the FBI in 2018, Cordero’s mental health worsened significantly. Despite efforts by his family to support him, he frequently went days without sleep and suffered from paranoia and PTSD. He would start taking medication and show signs of improvement, but then he would stop, leading to a repeated cycle of deterioration.
The family is questioning why non-lethal force wasn’t used and hopes EPISD Police will share the body camera and surveillance footage with their law enforcement friends for review to determine if the force used was justified. Meanwhile, they are choosing to remember Cordero for the remarkable and kind person he was, his distinguished career in law enforcement, and his greatest legacy—his four children.
Franklin High School Principal Amanda Bowser emphasized in a statement posted on the school’s website that the safety of students and staff remains the top priority. She confirmed that classes were canceled for the day as a precautionary measure while authorities continued investigating the incident. The school reopened on Friday morning, August 23.
A white sheet covered Cordero’s body outside the Franklin Magnet Center as investigators gathered evidence at the scene. Several law enforcement units remained present throughout the morning to secure the area. EPISD is conducting its own internal administrative investigation alongside the efforts of local police.
Franklin High School is expected to resume normal operations, and extracurricular activities will likely resume. Investigators are expected to release further details about the incident as the investigation unfolds.