Antonio Pagourtzis, father of Dimitrios Pagourtzis, says his son was "mistreated at school."
The father of accused Santa Fe, Texas, high school shooter Dimitrios Pagourtzis says his son was bullied prior to the killing spree that left 10 people dead.
Antonios Pagourtzis told Greek television station Antenna TV he thinks his 17-year-old son was hurt by someone else before he allegedly decided to hurt others, according to The Associated Press.
"He was a solid boy," Pagourtzis said. "I don't know what could have happened, I can't say what happened. My son, to me, is not a criminal — he's a victim."
The shell-shocked father told The Wall Street Journal that he believes the accused killer was "mistreated at school" and that it contributed to the shooting.
Pagourtzis seemed to confirm reports that his son used his guns owned by the elder Pagourtzis in the alleged siege Friday at Santa Fe High School, located east of Houston.
"He took them out of the closet," Pagourtzis said. "I told the police, 'Let me in so that he kills me, so nobody else gets hurt, let him kill me. I don't mind.'"
In the gut-wrenching interview, Pagourtzis rejected the notion there's blood on his hands and said he shares the grief of those who lost loved ones.
"I don't have joy now," he said. "I feel the pain of the others, but I have the same pain. I have the same exact pain. I'm sorry."
Pagourtzis was arrested at his high school Friday and has since been charged with capital murder.
He remains under suicide watch at the Galveston County Jail.
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