Kirbyville High School principal Dennis Reeves fatally shot himself Tuesday afternoon after notifying the district superintendent of his resignation, 6 News has learned.

Police found Reeves' body shortly after 5 p.m., inside of his running vehicle.

They also found a .380-caliber semi automatic pistol believed to be the weapon used in the suicide, according to Kirbyville Police Chief Paul Brister.

The engine was still running and the transmission was in reverse but his foot was on the brake and the vehicle wasn't moving.



Chief Brister tells 6 News that Reeves informed the district superintendent of his intention to resign around 4 p.m.

The superintendent and assistant superintendent were the only other personnel on campus.



Brister tells KFDM the superintendent saw Reeves in his truck about 5 p.m., one hour after the meeting, and called police to check on him.

Brister and Sgt. Josh Hancock found Reeves' body in his truck.

Kirbyville schools ended classes last Friday for summer vacation and no students were on campus.

In Brister's 35 years in law enforcement, he says he has never seen a case like this with a principal committing suicide at the school.



Students we spoke with say Reeves was a wonderful principal and they're devastated and saddened by his death.



