A gunman has opened fire at a high school near Spokane in Washington state, killing one student and injuring at least three other people, officials and witnesses said. The suspect was taken into custody a short time later.
The incident began just after 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday when police officers were called to reports of shots being fired at Freeman High School in Rockford. A large number of emergency services, including air ambulances, were called to the scene.
Schools across the Spokane area were placed on lockdown as a precaution while officers searched Freeman High School room by room. All of students at the school were later evacuated and lockdowns at other schools were lifted once authorities confirmed the situation was under control.
Brian Schaeffer of the Spokane Fire Department said one student was killed and at least three others were rushed to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital in Spokane. Hospital officials said none of the three patients suffered life-threatening injuries.
“We know that there was an active shooter inside Freeman school. The shooter, the threat from the shooter, has been eliminated,” Schaeffer said. Spokane County Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich added that the suspect had been taken into custody.
There was no immediate word on the identity of the suspect or a possible motive.
“This morning’s shooting at Freeman High School is heartbreaking,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee said in a statement. “All Washingtonians are thinking of the victims and their families, and are grateful for the service of school staff and first responders working to keep our students safe.”
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