At least three individuals, including the suspect, were slain inside a high school in Missouri on Monday morning, according to police officials.
According to district officials, the shooting occurred at the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis.
The commissioner of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Lt. Col. Michel Sack, acknowledged that the tragedy claimed the lives of one adult and one female.
Sack stated, “One adult female was pronounced dead at a local hospital; I suspect she was killed by gunfire.”
“One adolescent female remains at the site, and she has also been pronounced dead as a result of gunshot wounds,” he stated.
In addition to the fatalities, Sack stated during a press conference that eight people were sent to local hospitals as a result of the event.
It is unknown how many of those sent to the hospital had gunshot wounds, just that they received “a variety” of injuries, “from trampling injuries to gunshot wounds.”
The district had previously stated that only two people had been shot and transported to the hospital.
This was the scene Monday morning outside Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis when a gunman opened fire and killed two people.
Police were observed dragging fleeing pupils back into the school after a guy opened fire.
Less than four hours into the school day, students were evacuated due to the presence of an active shooter.
Monday morning, a swarm of police cars was visible outside the Missouri school.
Armed officers approached the scene with caution after two students were shot by an unnamed suspect. According to district officials, officers were able to swiftly halt the shooter by fatally shooting him.
The police official stated that cops were dispatched to the school about 9:00 a.m. and arrived shortly thereafter.
Sack stated that as students fled the building, several reported to authorities that the culprit was inside with a ‘long gun.’
‘As children fled the building, they spoke with several of the children who informed them that the shooter was armed with a long gun,’ Sack said during the press conference.
He continued by saying that the officers then entered the school, located the shooter, and fatally shot the suspect.
The commissioner indicated that there was an exchange of gunfire after the officers located the subject.
He also stated that it is yet unknown how the suspect gained entry.
“The doors were locked,” Sack declared.
After a reporter asked the police commissioner how the gunman obtained entry, Sack replied, “we will not discuss how the suspect acquired access.”
During the post-shooting press conference, district authorities also addressed the media, informing them that they are working with the families of the victims and extending their condolences.
The culprit has not been positively identified at this time.
Superintendent of St. Louis Public Schools Dr. Kelvin R. Adams stated, “This is a day of tragedy.”
One school district official stated, “I am stressed and heartbroken; I am heartbroken for these families.” Our children should not be subjected to this.
The group also commended the officers who “rushed to the shooting” inside the school.
“I do feel that swift actions saved lives,” claimed one law enforcement official.
After the man was shot and the building was cleared by SWAT and the explosives squad, according to Sack.
Students were spotted consoling one another outside the school after an unidentified shooter entered the facility and fatally murdered two people.
In addition to the deceased adult and female student, authorities have established that at least eight others were sent to local hospitals. However, law officials did not confirm how many of these injuries were caused by gunfire.
Students who were inside the school at the time of the incident would likely be interviewed on a subsequent day, according to Sack.
‘We must obtain their information, but they may not be interrogated today, given that they have just experienced a horrible event. However, it is crucial that we determine who was in the building and where they were located, as stated by the commissioner.
On paper, there are nine casualties, but in reality, there are hundreds.
Sack stated, “Everyone who survived here will take trauma home with them.”
He continued, ‘Even the officers who reacted and the firefighters and paramedics who treated victims will endure some degree of trauma.’ It is just heartbreaking.
Officers recovered what they believe to be the suspect’s vehicle after the incident and stated that they will be ‘looking through it’ for evidence, including identifiers of the suspect.
Officials were only able to confirm that the suspect was a man in his twenties as of noon Eastern Standard Time.
Unknown is his relationship to the institution or any present students or faculty.
Monday, students were evacuated after a shooter entered the school and injured two children.
St. Louis Public Schools tweeted on Monday morning, “Police are at Central Visual and Performing Arts this morning in response to reports of an active shooter, and both CVPA and Collegiate are on lockdown.”
The district report states that the shooter was soon apprehended by police within CVPA.
As of little before 11 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, school administrators were still evacuating pupils.
Students were transported to “safe and secure” locations.
The district stated that it would provide information on where parents may reunite with their children.
Later, they disclosed that parents and students might reunite at the Gateway STEM School, which is two miles from CVAP.
Pupils and faculty raced in terror to police and EMS personnel at the scene where two students were shot.
Monday, the school district requested that officials avoid the area between S. King’s Highway and Arsenal Street “until further notice.”
This investigation is in progress.
Governor Mike Parson of Missouri replied to the incident on Monday via social media, thanking the officers who raced to the site and expressing his ‘prayers’ for the victims.
The victims and their families of this morning’s shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis are in our thoughts and prayers. This tragedy has been briefed to our office. https://t.co/WwKmpbclqC
Governor Mike Parson’s Twitter feed on October 24, 2022
The victims and their families of this morning’s shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis are in our thoughts and prayers. This tragedy has been briefed to our office.
‘State Public Safety officials are collaborating with local law enforcement and have provided any state resources required to aid in the investigation.
‘St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (OFFICIAL) responded swiftly to the sound of gunfire in order to protect lives, secure the area, and neutralize the threat.
We are praying for the victims, their families, and the community as a whole.
Mayor of St. Louis Tishaura Jones replied to the news of the incident with a gloomy tweet sent at 10:30 a.m.
Help us, Jesus, wrote Jones on Monday.
Trudy Busch Valentine, a Democrat competing for an open U.S. Senate seat in Missouri, also responded to the news via Twitter, expressing her own grief as a’mother and grandma.’
Busch Valentine stated, “I am heartbroken this morning after hearing stories of a school shooting in south St. Louis.”
I am heartbroken to learn of a school shooting in south St. Louis this morning. As a mother and grandmother, I am appalled and praying for all those affected, including students, parents, educators, and community members. I am appreciative of law enforcement’s prompt response. https://t.co/0fwQu4vFoZ
— Trudy Busch Valentine (@buschvalentine) October 24, 2022
“As a mother and grandmother, I am appalled and praying for all those affected, including students, parents, educators, and community members.” I am appreciative of law enforcement’s prompt response.
This is an evolving narrative. Visit this page again for updates as they become available.