One student was killed, and a police officer was injured in a shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School in eastern Tennessee.
What We Know:
- The shooting took place on Monday at around 3:15 p.m. after officers responded to a report of an armed person on campus. The shooter, who has only been identified as a male student, was found by two responding officers hiding inside a school bathroom.
- The student proceeded to fire shots at the authorities, striking one unidentified officer in the leg. The officer did return fire, and the suspect was killed during the incident. USA Today reported that the officer was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery after the bullet left him in serious condition.
- According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation director, David Rausch, it was not clear if the student was planning to use the gun inside the school and only fired when officers tried to approach him. No other students were harmed during the shooting. Rausch also confirmed that a second person has been detained for questioning but is likely to be a witness of the account.
- Tennessee State Representative Sam McKenzie, who represents the 15th district and attended the school, said in a statement, “I am at a loss to describe my sadness as yet another horrific act of gun violence has happened in my community.” McKenzie is urging residents to join together to “reclaim the sanctity of our beloved neighborhood.”
In response to the incident, Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas announced that classes would be canceled at Austin-East High School on Tuesday and Wednesday.
