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3 Injured in Shooting at Elementary School in South Carolina, Police Say 3 Injured in Shooting at Elementary School in South Carolina, Police Say
(about 3 hours later)
Two students and a teacher were shot and wounded at an elementary school in South Carolina on Wednesday, and a teenage suspect was in police custody, according to local media reports. A teenager in South Carolina killed his father at home, then went to a nearby elementary school and shot two boys and a female teacher with a handgun on Wednesday, according to local authorities.
WYFF News 4 reported that the police had bused the remaining students from Townville Elementary School to a church nearby in Anderson County, 108 miles northeast of Atlanta. The teenager, whose name was not immediately released, was taken into custody around 2 p.m. at Townville Elementary School in Anderson County, about 108 miles northeast of Atlanta.
WYFF said the authorities were investigating if the shooting was linked to a death on Osborne Road, about three miles from the school. There was no explanation yet of how the death was connected. One of the students was shot in the leg, one was shot in the foot, and the teacher was shot in the shoulder, Capt. Garland Major of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office said. The conditions of the victims were not immediately available. All were receiving medical care.
A helicopter took the two children to a hospital nearby, and the teacher was taken away by ambulance, WYFF reported. “We are heartbroken about this senseless act of violence, but we are so thankful for the quick response by law enforcement and school employees who prevented further injuries,” said Joanne Avery, the superintendent of Anderson School District 4.
The authorities, notified of the shooting about 1:45 p.m., urged parents and family members not to go to the school, and to head to the baptist church on Highway 24. The father, identified as Jeffrey Osborne, 47, was found dead with a gunshot wound after a 911 call from family, according to Greg Shore, the Anderson County coroner. He said the shooter was 14 years old.
On a live stream posted to Facebook by WYFF in Greenville, buses could be seen taking students away. The video showed concerned parents flocking to the building and milling about in the parking lot, some looking intently into their phones. Captain Major said the teenager had been home-schooled.
The authorities said there was no known relationship between the shooter and his victims. The motive for the shootings was unclear, as was the suspect’s connection to the school. Captain Major said there appeared to be no connection to international terrorism.
The teenager was caught without incident after the shootings by Jamie Brock, a volunteer firefighter, the department said. The remaining students were bused to Oak Dale Baptist Church, where they were reunited with their parents.
The authorities did not say whether the gunman entered the school, which has about 280 students, or if the shootings happened outside. Dr. Avery said that the school did not have a full-time resource officer, but did have security cameras and an airlock entry system, and that employees had undergone active shooter training.
“We have searched the school,” said Taylor Jones, a spokesman for Anderson County Emergency Management. “Our SWAT team has been engaged there. We do not think we have any other shooters involved and everything appears safe.”
The police, notified of the shooting about 1:45 p.m., were at the school within seven minutes and caught the gunman “within a matter of minutes,” Dr. Avery said.
School has been canceled for the rest of the week and counseling is available to students and staff members, she said.
On a live stream posted to Facebook by WYFF in Greenville, S.C., buses could be seen taking students away. The video showed concerned parents flocking to the building and milling about in the parking lot, some looking intently at their phones.
At one point, a group of armed police officers could be seen moving from one school entrance to another, and others could be seen on the school roof.At one point, a group of armed police officers could be seen moving from one school entrance to another, and others could be seen on the school roof.
“Oh, my God, is he still in there?” one anguished woman could be heard saying. Another said she was waiting for news about her sister’s children.“Oh, my God, is he still in there?” one anguished woman could be heard saying. Another said she was waiting for news about her sister’s children.
Townville, near Lake Hartwell in northwest South Carolina, is about 40 miles southwest of Greenville. It had a population of 4,586 in December 2015.Townville, near Lake Hartwell in northwest South Carolina, is about 40 miles southwest of Greenville. It had a population of 4,586 in December 2015.
Kimberly Poulin, a clerk for the County Council, said the school served a sparsely populated agricultural area.Kimberly Poulin, a clerk for the County Council, said the school served a sparsely populated agricultural area.
“It is very small,” said Ms. Poulin. “It’s a very small community. A rural community.” “It is very small,” Ms. Poulin said. “It’s a very small community. A rural community.”
Ms. Poulin said she had never heard of gun violence in the area until Wednesday.Ms. Poulin said she had never heard of gun violence in the area until Wednesday.
“Not as long as I’ve lived here in 15 years,” she said. “It’s awful.”“Not as long as I’ve lived here in 15 years,” she said. “It’s awful.”
In a statement, Gov. Nikki Haley said state officials would “work together with law enforcement to make sure they have the support they need to investigate what happened in Townville.”
She also asked that “everyone across South Carolina join us in praying for the entire Townville Elementary School family and those touched by today’s tragedy.”