3:05 PM

The Goose Creek CISD Police Department has arrested 18-year-old Aundre Mathews of Sterling High School in connection with the homicide of a fellow Sterling High School student. Mathews has been charged with murder, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office has accepted the murder charge against him. The suspect was initially held at the Baytown Police Department jail and since been transferred to the Harris County jail.

The GCCISD Police Department is a fully licensed law enforcement agency through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement and carries out its duties in accordance with the law and generally accepted law enforcement practices. We are working closely with the Baytown Police Department and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office on this case. Our officers’ professional familiarity with the school community has been an incredible asset during the investigation, and GCCISD PD will continue to dedicate all necessary resources and expertise—including by working with other agencies as needed—to bring this case to a conclusion.

Both the victim and the suspect were students at Sterling High School at the time of the incident. Based on the investigation to date, this is considered an isolated incident between two students who knew each other well, and there is no indication of an ongoing threat to students or staff.

Out of respect for the legal process and those impacted, no additional details will be released at this time. All public documents related to the case will be available on the Harris County District Clerk’s website as the case proceeds. Any future updates related to the police investigation will be posted on the district’s official communications page at https://www.gccisd.net/page/Communications.PressStatements.

4:50 PM

My heart is heavy as I join the community in grieving yesterday’s tragedy at Sterling High School. We are mourning the loss of a student, and our deepest condolences are with the student’s family, friends, and all Sterling Rangers. There are no words that can fully meet a moment like this, but please know that the District and community stand with you.

We want to thank the faculty members closest to the event who acted swiftly and provided immediate care until professional medical assistance arrived.

We understand you have many questions. We do too. We are committed to being as transparent as possible, but this is an active police investigation, and it is now in the hands of law enforcement. That process will guide what information can be shared and when. As we are able, we will continue to communicate updates in a timely and responsible manner that is consistent with our obligations under federal student privacy law.

After careful consideration, the administration decided that the best way to serve our students and faculty in the wake of this tragedy would be to come together as a campus community to provide in-person support. To that end, we reopened Sterling on Thursday morning with a full crisis response team in place and ready to serve our students and staff as they process yesterday’s events.

It has also come to my attention that an image purporting to be a student’s disciplinary history has been publicly circulated. While the District is prohibited from discussing students’ disciplinary histories in the public sphere, I urge exercising discretion when relying on information circulated on social media, regardless of its source.

That said, please know that Goose Creek CISD takes student behavior very seriously and works diligently to address concerns as they arise. At the same time, our responses to student misconduct are guided and, at times, limited by state and federal law. These laws exist to protect students and families, even when outcomes are difficult to understand in the aftermath of tragedy.

As we close out the semester, our focus is on supporting students, staff, and families. Counselors and additional support personnel are available at Sterling and throughout the District, and we will continue to provide resources on campus and across the District as needed.

Parents: While we believe this to be an isolated incident between two students, I encourage you to check in on your child, listen closely, and reach out if you see signs that they are struggling. We want to help.

To the Sterling family and community: you are not alone. We will lift one another up in the days ahead, and we will honor this student’s life by wrapping our arms around those who are hurting and continuing our daily mission of providing a safe space for our students to learn and grow.

Thank you for your compassion, your patience, and your care for our students and staff.

11:24 AM

Sterling was placed on a hold following a fight on campus involving two students. One student required medical attention. The parents of both students have been notified, and the situation was addressed promptly. The hold has been lifted, and there is no current threat to students and staff on campus.

3:30 PM

It is with profound sadness that we share tragic news involving our Sterling High School community. Today, a student was seriously injured during an altercation with another student on campus. The student was transported by ambulance and later life-flighted to the Texas Medical Center. We have since learned that the student has passed away.

Our hearts are heavy as we grieve this unimaginable loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, and all who are impacted by this tragedy.

The other student involved is currently in police custody. At this time, there is no known threat to the Sterling High School campus related to this incident. Because this matter remains an active criminal investigation, the district is unable to share additional details at this time.

Our priority now is caring for our students and staff. Our Social Emotional Learning and Student Wellness Team will be available on Thursday and Friday for students who may need help. The attached resources are provided to guide conversations, answer questions, and offer support during this time. We understand that this conversation may be difficult for some families. Please contact our staff if your child is having a tough time with this news so that we can provide appropriate services.

We ask our community to come together with compassion, respect, and support for one another, especially for the family that has lost their child. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate this painful moment together and remain committed to the safety, well-being, and care of our school community.

Please be aware that all after-school activities and events have been cancelled for today.

3:30 PM

On December 17, 2025, a student at Sterling High School was transported from the campus by ambulance and later life flighted to the Texas Medical Center following a serious injury the student sustained during an altercation with another student. We have now learned that the student passed away. The other student is currently in police custody, and there is currently no known threat to the campus related to this situation. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we will not be releasing additional information at this time. Instead, we ask the Goose Creek community to join us in supporting all students and staff in the aftermath of this tragedy, but particularly the family of the student who lost his life. Additional information about support and resources is being provided to parents and students.