The superintendent of Goose Creek CISD, Dr. Randal O’Brien, has addressed the community in a letter following a tragic incident at Sterling High School that resulted in the death of a student. The altercation, which occurred on Wednesday, has led to charges against an 18-year-old student accused of the fatal attack.
In his letter, Dr. O’Brien expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased student, identified as 16-year-old Andrew Meismer. He emphasized that further details regarding the incident would be limited as law enforcement continues its investigation.
Dr. O’Brien defended the decision to continue classes at Sterling High School the day after the incident, stating, “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.” He noted that the school reopened on Thursday morning with a full crisis response team available to assist students and staff in coping with the events that transpired.
In addition, the superintendent cautioned the community against spreading misinformation, particularly regarding the suspect’s disciplinary history. Aundre Matthews, the accused, has had a murder charge accepted by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Dr. O’Brien acknowledged the challenges Goose Creek CISD faces in addressing student behavior, stating that responses may be constrained by state and federal laws designed to protect the rights of students and families, even in difficult circumstances. He reassured parents that the incident appeared to involve only the two students and encouraged them to check in with their children during this distressing time.
In response to the tragedy, students at Sterling High School staged a protest outside the campus, voicing their concerns over the handling of the fight and questioning why Matthews was still allowed to attend school. One protester remarked, “This kid posted his rap sheet online for the world to see. Why was he here? Why was he still a student here?”
Students also expressed their discomfort with returning to class so soon after the incident. One student noted, “There are a lot of students in there that are genuinely scared to be in class right now. Some of them are having panic attacks, some have gone home early, some have seen things they shouldn’t have had to see.”
