Santana High School


Santana High School, located in Santee, California, is part of the Grossmont Union High School District.

2001 shooting

On March 5, 2001, fifteen-year-old Charles Andrew Williams killed two, and wounded thirteen at Santana High School. Bryan Zuckor, a fellow student, was the first killed, as he and another student, Trevor Edwards, were shot in the bathroom where Williams began. Williams then exited the bathroom and headed for the Santana High School quad, where he opened fire on surrounding students and faculty. There, he fatally shot another student, Randy Gordon, and wounded twelve others. Williams then returned to the bathroom where he continued shooting at students, later surrendering to the police.
Personal accounts of the events relate the initial confusion during the incident, describing the sound of the shots as "like firecrackers". Panic followed as people began to realize what was happening. Witnesses also describe Williams as "smiling" during the shooting. Referring to the chaos after the shooting, one parent remarked, "They just don't have a system to handle this." Students and faculty were evacuated to a nearby shopping center, and local businesses and churches helped to handle students and parents. Others also said that they heard him saying, weeks before the shootings, that he was "going to pull a Columbine".
He was apprehended by police in the same bathroom in which he started. He was later sentenced 50 years to life and will be eligible for parole in 2025.

Notable alumni