Professor Believes High Achieving Students Can Become Dangerous

Friends and former classmates of the University of Texas gunman, who took his own life Tuesday after parading through campus with an AK47, say they are stunned by his actions.

Colton Tooley came to campus clad in black and a ski mask, carrying the assault weapon, shooting into the air and the ground near the University Catholic Center.  Tooley then went to the Perry-Castaneda Library, known as the PCL, where he passed a security guard.  The men exchanged hellos, but the guard quickly called UT police dispatch.  Police say although Tooley did not hurt anyone else, he certainly had the opportunity to.  Tooley ended the incident Tuesday morning when he fired one round at himself on the sixth floor of the library.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tooley was a math major and a bright student, according to people who knew him.  They say he showed no signs of being disturbed.  The university is looking into behavioral problems, but so far no records have pointed to evidence this would happen.  According to Lone Star Texas News, James Allen Fox, a professor of criminology at Northeastern University, says high-achieving students like Tooley can become dangerous.  Often times, these students isolate themselves from the world around them when Fox says they need a balance in their lives.

Craig Shapiro, the principal of Austin's Crockett High School where Tooley graduated, said the Crockett community is shocked and saddened by Tuesday's tragedy.  "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Colton Tooley," said Shapiro in a statement.

Colton was ranked seventh in his 2009 class and was an excellent student, according to Shapiro.  "[He] excelled in every subject.  His teachers recall him with words such as “brilliant,” “meticulous,” and “respectful,” Shapiro said.

Crockett High School will have additional counselors on campus to assist students and staff who request their services.

Video below from The Daily Texan.