A 12-year-old girl is in custody after a shooting in a classroom at a Los Angeles middle school this morning, which left four children wounded, officials said.
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the head and is in critical but stable condition, while a 15-year-old girl was shot in the wrist and is in fair condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
Two other children suffered minor wounds and were treated and released, according to the LAC + USC Medical Center.
A doctor treating the 15-year-old boy at LAC + USC Medical Center said he is expected to make a full recovery.
No suspects are outstanding and the Salvador B. Castro Middle School has been declared safe, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
One parent told ABC Los Angeles station KABC-TV that the shooting took place next to her son’s classroom.
“He was in tears, but I’m so thankful he picked up the phone,” she said of her call to him.
Diego Salinas said when his sister texted him from the middle school, he immediately rushed over.
“I went crazy, I couldn’t handle it,” he told ABC News. “I’m actually shaking … I’m really afraid.”
“I’m nervous, I’m anxious, I want to cry,” Salinas said.
Eric Stolp told ABC News that his nephew, who was not injured, texted him asking to get picked up, saying there was a “psycho” with a “weapon.”
The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to an LAPD station, police said. A gun was recovered, police added.
The shooting, which was reported at 8:53 a.m. local time, occurred in an elective class with mixed grades, officials said.
The motive is unknown, police said.
How the gun was obtained is under investigation, but L.A. city attorney Mike Feuer said this is a “call to action” for every adult who has a gun.
“You must store it safely and keep it out of access for any child to reach,” Feuer said.
The school was placed on lockdown, but it has since been lifted. Officials said the normal school day would continue today and school will be open tomorrow.
The middle school is located on the Belmont High School campus and has about 365 students in grades six through eight.
Vivian Ekchian, interim superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, said in a statement, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were hurt in today’s shooting incident at Sal Castro Middle School and with all the students, families and employees on the campus.”
“The Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles School Police and District leadership immediately responded, and we followed protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the Castro Middle School community,” she added. “The school has been declared safe, and we are communicating with parents of students at Castro Middle School, as well as neighboring campuses. We are also providing appropriate supports to those who may be impacted by the incident.”
