83-Year-Old Man Opens Fire at Pasadena Memorial High School Band Competition

On February 1, 2025, at approximately 6:00 p.m., an elderly white male in his 80s entered the south side doors of Pasadena Memorial High School, where a band competition involving multiple schools was taking place. Two minutes later, the male discharged a small-caliber firearm, striking a white male, approximately 26 years old.

A citizen immediately tackled the shooter, and with the assistance of others, disarmed and detained him until police arrived. Officers assigned to the event for security responded swiftly. The victim was transported to a hospital, where he was last reported in stable condition.

The Pasadena Police Department, in coordination with the Pasadena Independent School District Police (PISD), is conducting the investigation. Multiple law enforcement divisions, including patrol officers, the Violent Crimes Detective Division, and the Crime Scene Investigation Unit, remain on the scene working to determine the motive behind the shooting. Authorities state the investigation may take several days.

Law enforcement commended the swift actions of bystanders and officers, stating their intervention likely prevented further violence. The reunification process for students and parents was quickly implemented, with PISD notifying families through email and text messages.

Counselors will be available at all PISD schools in the coming days, and additional police presence will be maintained as the investigation continues.

UPDATE Feb. 2nd: The adult victim is in stable condition at the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. the victim does not know the suspect and has never had contact with the suspect.

The suspect has been identified as 83-year-old Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr. The suspect told police that he was being chased by someone and feared he and his wife were going to be killed. The suspect left his home in Spring and ended up in Pasadena when the suspect stopped at the school, entered the building and shot the adult victim. He has been charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.