Justice Denied for Santa Fe High School Families

Devastated by the brutal loss of her daughter, Rhonda Hart is now turning her grief into a powerful campaign for Congress, driven by outrage over a system that failed her and countless others. Her 14-year-old daughter, Kimberly Vaughn, was one of 10 students shot and killed in the 2018 Santa Fe High School massacre. Since that horrific day, Hart has been relentless in her mission to combat gun violence, pushing for stronger gun storage laws in Texas and across the nation.

But Hart’s fight for justice took a bitter turn with a verdict this week that she calls “a disgrace.” After a drawn-out trial, a jury decided that the parents of the shooter, Antonios Pagourtzis and Rose Marie Kosmetatos, would not be held accountable, despite what Hart describes as glaring negligence. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Hart blasted the decision: “The guns used in the shooting were theirs, and they ignored every red flag—failing to get their son the help he so clearly needed. This is beyond egregious.”

Her words are filled with the deep pain of a mother robbed of her child: “I will never again hug Kimberly, watch her chase her dreams, or see her experience life’s milestones… driving, dating, marriage, kids, grandkids… all of it stolen in an instant. And the survivors, too, are scarred forever.”

Courtney Sacco,  Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Hart’s story is a chilling reminder of the failures in our state policies. The Santa Fe verdict, which awarded $300 million against Pagourtzis and a firearms retailer, but absolved his parents, stands in stark contrast to a recent case in Oxford, Michigan. There, a jury found Jennifer and James Crumbley, parents of school shooter Ethan Crumbley, fully liable for their son’s actions, sentencing them to over 10 years in prison for their reckless indifference to his deteriorating mental state and failure to secure the gun he used, especially when confronted with a chilling classroom drawing earlier that same day.

Now, with a fire lit by her daughter’s memory and a fierce resolve, Rhonda Hart is running to take her fight to the halls of Congress, determined to hold those responsible for gun violence accountable and prevent any more families from suffering as she has.

In a powerful response, Texas Gun Sense condemned the shocking lack of accountability in this case, highlighting the dire need for stronger safe storage and child access prevention laws across Texas. “‘We will not rest,’” Executive Director Nicole Golden vowed, adding, “Our hearts stand with the survivors, the victims’ families, and the entire Santa Fe community today and always.” You can read the full statement from Texas Gun Sense.

Injustices like these occur when policymakers do not take gun safety seriously. Hart, along with presidential nominee Kamala Harris, believes in a future where kids are free from gun violence. A future where parents aren’t burying their kids before they can finish their primary education. While Harris and other Democratic leaders have walked with families of the victims, discussing laws that could prevent future tragedies, Republican leaders had nothing to give but their prayers and condolences for situations they could have helped prevent.

In memory of the lives lost in the Santa Fe High School shooting:

• Aaron Kyle McLeod:

A bright student and an amazing athlete, Aaron loved biology and history. He had called Santa Fe home since 2011.

• Angelique Ramirez:

At 15, Angelique was an active member of her church’s youth ministry, attending Sunday service faithfully with her brother.

• Kimberly Vaughan:

Daughter of Rhonda Hart, Kimberly's life has inspired her mother to advocate for a safer future, so no parent has to endure such loss.

• Cynthia Tisdale:

A devoted substitute teacher and a loving mother, Cynthia's passion for teaching and caring for children was unmatched.

• Sabika Sheikh:

An exchange student from Pakistan, 17-year-old Sabika had dreams of becoming a diplomat to make her country proud.

• Chris Stone:

Adventurous and full of life, 17-year-old Chris loved football, video games, and most of all, being a brother.

• Jared Black:

Jared had just celebrated his 17th birthday days before the tragedy. He was looking forward to a birthday party that Saturday.

• Shana Fisher:

Shana, who had recently turned 16, was a talented artist and was in art class when her life was tragically cut short.

• Glenda Ann Perkins:

A beloved substitute teacher, Glenda was cherished by her students and is remembered as a hero by her family.

• Christian Riley Garcia:

At 15, Christian loved country music and was always ready to lend a helping hand, embodying kindness and generosity.

May their memories be a blessing, and their lives a call to action for a safer world.