A 15 – year-old California student was taken into custody and transported to a hospital for treatment after allegedly carrying out a school shooting that killed one person and injured several others, two of them critically.
The shooting was reported st 7. 45 am Pacific Time at Saugus High School on Centurion Way in Santa Clarita, about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva tweeted: ‘suspect is in custody and being treated at a local hospital.’
The unnamed Saugus High School student was apprehended when officers stormed a home near the school.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital confirmed that a female student has died of her injuries and two patients are in critical condition. Another male patient is in good condition.
Police say initial reports of seven injured ‘were likely due to duplicate reports.’
SWAT officers were seen storming a house in Santa Clarita, California, near Saugus High School where a mass shooting took place this morning
Students are comforted as they wait to be reunited with their parents following a deadly shooting at Saugus High School
LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed 15 – year-old suspect’s capture in a tweet
People are lead out of Saugus High School after reports of a shooting on Thursday
Paramedics are seen administering aid to one of the shooting victims on school campus
A victim is seen being taken from the scene by first responders following the shooting at 7. 45 am Pacific Time
Ambulances are parked outside of Saugus High School after reports of a shooting
The Signal reported that one student was shot in the torso and treated by a teacher a classroom.
One of the victims was found wounded in the school choir room.
Television images showed sheriff’s deputies swarming the school and several people being moved on gurneys.
Lines of students were escorted away from the school by armed deputies.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office sent out a tweet earlier saying officers were searching to a male Asian suspect in dark clothing.
A mother of a student at the school tearfully told KTLA her daughter called her earlier, saying that a girl burst into their classroom after being shot and other students jumped into actions, trying to stop the bleeding.
A student named Riley told KTLA5 that she was standing with friends by the library on campus when she heard four to five gunshots and started running.
One student described how his heroic teacher sprang into action as soon as he heard gunshots. Mason Peters told KTLA: ‘We heard this distinctive sound outside and my teacher quickly sprang to his feet, got up, locked the door, asked one of the students to get the keys.
People wait for students and updates outside of Saugus High School
Students and others wait outside a reunification center in Santa Clarita
A police officer stands guard as students wait to reunite with their parents
Sheriff’s deputies stand outside Saugus High School after the fatal shooting in Santa Clarita
” We got a bunch of desks, turned off all the lights and reinforced the doors and we all just stayed hidden. ‘
The children were brought to the Church of Latter day saints across from the high school and were brought away from the scene to Central Park where a reunification center was set up and they were being picked up by their parents.
It is understood law enforce ment are trying to find out which students witnessed the incident for future legal proceedings.
One student who was on his way to school when the shooting happened, said officials there had an emergency drill in the
Student Mason Peters said his heroic teacher spring into action after hearing gunshots and locked the classroom door
He told KTLA: ‘I was going to school when it happened, and I heard three shots and people started running. It was chaotic,
‘My sister is still in the school, she is still in the choir room and I’m waiting for her to come out.
‘We’ve had all these drills many times, they wanted us about this happening, it’s so surreal, it never felt this real
We definitely had one in the last month or so. For the most part it’s duck and cover and block. ‘
The mother of student Anthony Peters told NBC he was still on lockdown inside the school but had texted that he was uninjured.
‘One of the teachers said, “There is an active shooter. I heard the shots and saw three kids get shot,”‘ Peters’ mother told NBC.
Some of the wounded were being treated in a grassy area on the school’s campus, the Los Angeles Times reported. At least one injured person was found in the school’s choir room, authorities told the newspaper.
Many students arrive at school later at around 7. 55 am as they don’t have a first period on Thursday.
A student named Sean said he was training with his team and coach when they immediately locked themselves in a room. When they reinforced the door their coach led them in prayer as they stood in a circle with their hands joined.
Sean said: ‘I was walking towards the quad where it happened, I heard the shots so I rang back ot the room where I was.
‘We were all texting our parents and telling them we’re ok, we were trying to keep quiet and not make noise. We weren’t sure until our coach got a call, and they cleared the building out.
‘After that I felt safe.
His mom Mercedes said she was relieved to have her son back. She claimed: ‘It’s just relief, there is no real sense of knowing your child is safe until you have them in your arms. I’m just trying to calm down now
‘Hell be my baby forever.’
Sean added: ‘I don’t know why these things happen, they just do. We ended up all joining hands and praying, and the comfort of knowing we were there .They took us to the gym, I love my mom so much and I didn’t know what to do.
” We settled down and we went through it together. ‘
A mother of one student who was outside the school said the kids have regular drills to prepare for an active shooter situation.
Students at Saugus High School are talking about hearing shots and running for their lives
She told an ABC7 reporter: ‘They do multiple drills, and I always said I hate that this is the new normal but I see why now. The kids know [what to do], they should hide, shelter in place, or run if you can.
One of the students who was there with his mom claimed: ‘I know if you’ re in a classroom you should just stay if there’s a teacher, if you’re already outside and really close to an exit, you should try and run but if you’re not close to an exit, you should duck into the nearest class
‘We have done lockdown drills and stuff.’
Two sisters who were outside the school with their mom appeared shaken as they told how they were reunited when the building was evacuated.
One of the girls named Emily told KTLA: ‘I never looked back, we just all kept running and people were looking for their loved ones. Everyone worked as a community it was very surprising.
‘I was like panicking the whole time, I was like my sister is in the classroom, I hope she’s ok
This map shows the location of the high school on Centurion Way in Santa Clarita, about 40 miles from downtown Los Angeles
At least five people were said to have been wounded in the school shooting Thursday
At least one person was said to have been shot in the abdomen
‘She’s here now and she was hiding, she was texting that she was so scared and it was so crazy.’
Her mom told of her terror as Emily text her saying there was a shooter in the building and she immediately rushed to the scene where she waited for news.
She said: ‘She was texting me saying there is a shooter, I was like what I couldn’t believe. It hits home so it’s been really hard, I got in my car and drove right to my school, I waited and waited and finally my daughter came running out to me
‘It was the best thing ever, she was one of the first classes let out. I found out my other daughter was with her girlfriend and mom which was like a relief. ‘
‘ My daughter Sarah told me “mom, I’m so scared, I love you so much , please come, please come and that just killed me
‘You don’t know where they are, if they are safe, it’s so scary, I’m so glad.’
The students were brought to the Church of Latter day saints across from the high school. From there, they were taken away from the scene to Central Park where a reunification center was set up and they were being picked up by their parents.
It is understood law enforcement are trying to find out which students witnessed the incident for future legal proceedings.
The high school and other schools in the surrounding area, including Rosedell and Highland elementary schools, were placed on lockdown, which has since been lifted in the wake of the suspect’s capture.
Police are seen on a street descending on a home believed to be linked to the suspect
A police cruiser is seen outside the address connected to the alleged shooter
Police officers were seen surrounding a home on Sycamore Creek Drive, believed to be somehow linked to the suspect.
People are being urged to the avoid the area during the manhunt and nearby residents are being asked to lock their doors and shelter in place.
White House spokesman Judd Deere says President Donald Trump is monitoring the reports of the school shooting.
Deere says in a statement that those in the area are encouraged ‘to follow the advice of local law enforcement and first responders.’
Democrat congressman Tim Ryan, who represents Ohio, reacted with shock at the latest school shooting incident.
In a Tweet he claimed: ‘My heart breaks for Saugus High School and the Santa Clarita community. How many more, @senatemajldr Mitch McConnell? Our children cannot keep living like this. The Senate needs to #DoSomething, we need to take action on gun violence.
Presidential candidate and California Senator Kamala Harris also tweeted: ‘heartbroken and praying for Santa Clarita. I’m incredibly grateful to the first responders who are on the scene of this active situation.
‘If you are near the area, please listen to law enforcement. Our children and communities are being terrorized. We can’t accept this. ’
Senator Dianne Feinstein urged the public to comply with emergency notices and said she was monitoring the ongoing situation.
California House Representative Katie Porter said her heart broke for families and students affected by the shooting and called for measures to control gun violence.
In a tweet she claimed: ‘My heart breaks for our neighbors in Santa Clarita and our children, who have to grow up in a world where they can’t go to school without fear. This. Must. End. It is past time for our Senate and our President to say #EnoughIsEnough. They can start by passing H.R.8 into law.
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