JASPER, Texas — A Jasper ISD English teacher and volleyball coach was tragically killed in a shooting at a patio bar in downtown San Antonio early Tuesday Morning.
28-year-old Ayden Burt was at Smoke Skybar after attending a coaches convention when gunfire erupted from a vehicle outside the bar.
San Antonio Police responded to the 500 block of East Crockett around 12:15 a.m. for reports of the shooting.
When officers arrived, they found Burt, who had been shot in her upper back while sitting outside on the patio of Smoke Skybar.
Officers determined that she was seated on the upper level of the patio bar with her back to the highway when a gun shot was heard from the vicinity of I-37, which hit the victim.
SAPD says that they believe the shot came from the highway, and that Burt was the only victim.
Burt was taken to BAMC in critical condition, but sadly died from her injuries.
San Antonio police say they have no suspect and don't know why the victim was shot. This is still an active investigation.
The Jasper community has been left reeling after the tragedy. They describe Burt as a loving, caring educator who put her students before all else.
"A little bit of shock today. Ayden was so young. She was a great person, very kindhearted," said Jasper ISD Superintendent John Seybold.
Burt was five years into her dream job as a teacher and coach at Jasper Junior High and Jasper High School.
"Just starting her teaching career, she had already touched so many lives," Seybold said.
Her family has deep roots in Jasper ISD.
"Her dad was the junior high principal, her grandpa was the junior high principal before that. She graduated in 2014, I think, from Jasper High School," Seybold told 12News.
Seybold tells 12News he was honored to hire Burt and bring her back to her hometown.
"She was an athlete. She was a cheerleader. She went to college and came back as a teacher after she graduated from UT Tyler," Seybold said.
Burt had already started preparing her athletes for the upcoming season.
"Strength, weight and agility training they'd been doing that all summer, and of course Ayden was involved in that, going there four days a week all summer," said Seybold.
As the district prepares for the fall semester, Seybold says Burt's impact on students and staff will leave a gap in the heart of Bulldog Nation that can never be filled.
"She was irreplaceable. A Jasper bulldog through and through," Seybold told 12News.
San Antonio Police are leading the investigation into who fired the fatal shot. They say they currently have no leads on a suspect or their vehicle.
Jasper Junior High will have a team of counselors set up in the gym to speak with anybody who feels like they need to talk from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to Seybold.
The district is willing to provide additional counseling, as needed.
"It is with a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing of one of our staff members, Ayden Burt. We ask for prayers of comfort for her family, as well as her extended family, the students and staff of Jasper ISD. Counselors will be available from 5:00-7:00 this evening, July 23rd, at the Jasper Junior High Gymnasium for our students, staff, and community members to help process this loss. Ongoing support will be available to students and staff. Ayden has been teaching in Jasper ISD since 2019, teaching English at both Jasper High School and Jasper Jr. High, also serving as a Cheer Sponsor and Coach. We ask that everyone respect the privacy of the family and staff at this time," Seybold said in a post from Jasper ISD Facebook.
On Wednesday morning, executive director of Texas High School Coaches Association, Joe Martin released the following statement;
“We are absolutely heartbroken about the tragic and senseless death of Ayden Burt early Tuesday morning. We know first-hand that she was a wonderful person and a great coach who was passionate about the work she was doing to help the young people in East Texas excel. Our annual convention is all about celebrating the coaching profession and bringing people together. Ayden was having fun at an offsite networking event with her fellow coaches and what happened is truly unimaginable. To be laughing and sharing stories with her colleagues one moment and fighting for her life the next due to a mindless and heinous act is difficult to comprehend. San Antonio has always been a great host and a safe place for our coaches and it’s why we love coming there. We know the authorities will work tirelessly to find the perpetrators and we are hopeful they will be brought to justice. Meanwhile, our community of coaches is devastated and a loving family is grieving. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, friends and the Jasper community. On behalf of the entire Texas High School Coaches Association, we will be making a benevolence fund donation to her family to provide additional support during this incredibly difficult time.”
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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