School shooting: Three dead, seven injured in St Louis
There was a shooting at a high school in St. Louis, Missouri, and at least three people, including the suspect, were killed and seven others were injured.
On Monday, just after 9:00 a.m. local time (13:00 GMT), a gunman entered Central Visual & Performing Arts High School and opened fire.
The school’s doors were secured, and it is unclear how the suspect gained entry.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunman’s firearm jammed in the middle of his attack, preventing further casualties.
Officials with the St. Louis Public School District say officers “quickly stopped” the shooter.
Police say they exchanged gunfire with a suspect, a former pupil aged 19, who later died from his wounds.
His motivation for attacking the school of 400 is unknown.
According to reports from the authorities, one young girl was found dead inside the school, while another adult female passed away later at a local hospital.
Local media said that none of the seven injured (three girls and four boys) were in critical condition.
According to Michael Sack, the police commissioner of the city, students were fleeing the school when policemen arrived and reported that the perpetrator had a “long gun”
The seven security guards on duty, he said, had notified management and the authorities immediately.
Mr Sack later claimed, “This could have been much worse.” after discovering that the gunman had hundreds of bullets organized into nearly a dozen high-capacity magazines.
He continued, “This is a heart-breaking day for all of us,” It is being assisted by FBI agents.
The suspect, who police say graduated from the institution last year, had no prior criminal record.
Jean Kuczka, a teacher in the field of health, was confirmed by her family to be one of the fatalities.
According to her web biography, Kuczka, 61, was a grandmother of seven and had taught at the school since 2008.
Abigail Kuczka, the girl who was killed, said to the Post-Dispatch, “My mom loved kids,”
According to reports, several of the wounded have been shot, while others have been damaged by shrapnel or have gone into cardiac arrest.
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said at a press conference after the incident, “Our children shouldn’t have to experience this,”
“They shouldn’t have to go through active shooter drills in case something happens. And unfortunately, that happened today.”
According to statistics compiled by Education Week, at least 35 school shootings resulting in injuries or fatalities have occurred thus far in 2018.
