UPDATE: 4:00 P.M. EST
CNN reports that the teacher who persuaded the suspect to put down his gun was hit in the head by a pellet from a 12-gauge shotgun, but is fine.
Kern County Sheriff Don Youngblood told reporters an account of what transpired in the classroom:
The 16-year-old suspect – a student who missed the start of his first class Thursday morning – walked into school in the middle of first period, walked into class and shot a 16-year-old fellow student with a 12-gauge shotgun, Kern County Sheriff Don Youngblood told reporters moments ago.
The shooter then named a second student and fired at that second student, but missed, Youngblood said. The teacher in the class tried to usher students out of the class – there were about 28 students there – and engaged the shooter in conversation, according to Youngblood.
That teacher and another person – a “campus supervisor” – continued to talk to the shooter, and eventually the shooter put the shotgun down, Youngblood said. Police officers then arrested the shooter, Youngblood said.
Another student who was beside the student that was shot is suffering possible hearing damage. Youngblood said another student was hurt as he or she fell over tables trying to leave the classroom.
The student who was shot was taken to a hospital and is in critical condition, according to Youngblood.
SOURCE: CNN
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UPDATE: 3:50 P.M. EST
According to ABC 7:
Sheriff: Taft, California, school shooter was persuaded to surrender by teacher, staff member.
This story is developing.
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UPDATE: 2:45 P.M. EST
CNN reports:
U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, a Republican whose district includes Taft, released a statement:
“I am deeply saddened and troubled by news of the shooting,” it said. “(My wife) Judy and I offer our prayers to the victims, their families and the entire Taft community.”
SOURCE: CNN
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UPDATE: 2:15 P.M. EST
23ABC is reporting that the shooting occurred in the science building at the school.
SOURCE: 23 ABC
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UPDATE: 2:00 P.M. EST
NBC reports that the two victims were a teacher and a student:
A local NBC affiliate reports that a teacher and a student had been injured and are currently receiving treatment in hospital. The student’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The police department has also confirmed that there is usually a full-time sheriff’s deputy on duty in the school, but he was not there today.
This story is developing.
SOURCE: Think Progress
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UPDATE: 1:55 P.M. EST
The Huffington Post is reporting that the suspect is believed to be a student and have confirmed the type of firearm used in the shooting.
The suspect is believed to be a student, Kern County sheriff’s spokesman Ray Pruitt told the Associated Press, and police believe the weapon used was a shotgun.
This story is developing.
SOURCE: Huffington Post
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UPDATE: 1:45 P.M. EST
It is being reported that a student at Taft High School threatened a school shooting in December, but later admitted to making a false alarm.
Buzzfeed has released live tweets from students inside the school that give a chilling account of the atmosphere inside, one of which reference the student who made the threat last year.
It hasn’t been confirmed if the same student is the gunman.
This story is developing.
SOURCE: Buzzfeed
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23ABC News Channel Reports that a gunman opened fire at Taft High School in California:
Officials have said that at least two people were shot at Taft High School.
The shooting happened at about 9 a.m., and reports indicate that at least two people were shot.
The shooter was taken into custody at about 9:20 a.m.
23ABC news received phone calls from people inside the school who were hiding in closets.
Kern County Sheriff’s Department officials are going room-by-room to secure the school.
Parents need to pick up their students at the football field.
This story is developing.
SOURCE: 23 ABC
