HISD releases further information on the death of a Marshall Middle School student

HOUSTON – Houston ISD has released additional information after a Marshall Middle School student died Wednesday following a medical emergency.

Landon Payton died after collapsing on the floor of the Marshall Middle School gymnasium.

“As we previously reported, HISD was devastated by the death of one of its students during school hours four days ago. We continue to mourn with Landon Payton's family and the Marshall Middle School community. We will continue to do everything we can to support the family during this incredibly difficult time,” the school district said in a statement.

While the district said it was prohibited from sharing a student's personal information due to state and federal law, it did provide some additional details about the incident.

• Landon experienced a medical emergency in the gymnasium in front of the physical education teacher and special education teacher. Prior to this incident, the teachers had no indication that the child was unwell. The teachers acted immediately, radioing the school nurse and calling 911.

• The students in physical education class had been engaged in light physical activity for most of the class and had been “free play” for the last part of the class when the medical emergency occurred. They were asked to sit down while staff tended to Landon, and shortly thereafter they were released from the gym.

• Medical officials have not provided the county with a cause of death. The county is unable to determine the cause of death as that can only be determined by medical officials.

• The nurse who provided Landon's medical care is a registered nurse with a valid license. Before starting at HISD in February 2024, she worked at Harris Health System for 30 years, including as a cardiac and pulmonary surgery nurse.

• The temperature in the gymnasium immediately after the incident was 22 degrees. School administrators raised no concerns about the temperature in any part of the building throughout the day.

The district stressed that this is preliminary information and they are waiting for more information to fully understand the incident.

“Based on everything we have learned, we believe the staff and emergency services responded quickly and appropriately. We believe they did everything they could and cared for Landon the way any parent would want their child cared for in an emergency,” the district said. “The district will provide more information to the community as soon as we are able. In the meantime, our deepest condolences go out to Landon's family.”