Texas
Beloved Texas teacher, 28, ‘randomly’ shot dead at outdoor bar during coaches convention
A young Texas high school English teacher and cheer coach was “randomly” shot and killed at an outdoor bar in San Antonio in a shocking tragedy Tuesday.
The beloved Jasper High educator Ayden Burt, 28, was at a local rooftop bar while in town for the Texas High School Coaches Association Conference when she was struck by a bullet just after midnight, San Antonio police said.
Investigators said Burt was “randomly” shot but don’t yet know who fired at her.
“Our Homicide Detectives are working to bring justice to Ayden and her family; however, details are limited,” the police department said in a statement. “SAPD is asking for the public’s help for any information regarding this tragic incident.”
A bullet struck Burt in the upper back while she was sitting on the rooftop patio of Smoke Skybar on East Crockett Street, police told 12 News Now.
Her back was towards the nearby highway, I-37, and police believe the shot was fired from the Interstate, the local news station reported.
Burt was with other coaches from across the state at the bar when the shooting occurred.
“She was sitting right next to me laughing and talking and the next [minute] bleeding in my lap,” Humble High School football coach Robert Murphy said on X. “My coaches did everything they could performing CPR etc to save her life. She was excited about the upcoming year. Traumatizing.”
Burt was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition following the shooting but she couldn’t be saved.
No other injuries were reported.
Burt taught English at both Jasper Junior High and Jasper High School since 2019. She also coached volleyball and cheerleading teams.
Jasper ISD Superintendent John Seybold announced her death in a statement to school community members.
“Dear Bulldog Family, It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of one of our staff members, Ayden Burt,” Seybold wrote. “We ask for prayers of comfort for her family, as well as her extended family, the students and staff of Jasper ISD.”
He told 12 News Now that he was in shock by the death of the young teacher.
“Ayden was so young. She was a great person, very kindhearted,” Seybold told the station. “Just starting her teaching career, she had already touched so many lives.”
Burt came from a line of Jasper educators. Her father and grandfather both served as principals of Jasper Junior High and she was a graduate of the high school.
“She was irreplaceable. A Jasper bulldog through and through,” Seybold said.
The school district offered grief counseling for students, staff and community members Tuesday.
A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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