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Teenager Held in Shootings That Kill Father and Injure 2 Students and a Teacher in South Carolina Carolina Boy, 14, Held After Father Is Killed and 3 Are Shot at School
(35 minutes later)
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. A 14-year-old boy in South Carolina killed his father at home, then went to a nearby elementary school and shot two boys and a teacher with a handgun on Wednesday, according to local authorities.
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. The teenager, whose name was not released, was taken into custody around 2 p.m. at Townville Elementary School in Anderson County, about 100 miles northeast of Atlanta.
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. 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.
“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 student who was shot in the leg, Jacob Hall, was in critical condition on Wednesday night at the Greenville Health System Children’s Hospital, according to the hospital. Ross Norton, a spokesman for AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, said the other student and the teacher were treated at the hospital and released two hours later.
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. The father, identified as Jeffrey Osborne, 47, was found dead with a gunshot wound after a 911 call from family members, according to Greg Shore, the Anderson County coroner.
Captain Major said the teenager had been home-schooled. The suspect’s grandparents, who live nearby, got a phone call from their grandson, who was crying and upset, Mr. Shore said at a news conference on Wednesday night. They could not understand what he was saying and, concerned about what was wrong, went to his home and found their son — the gunman’s father — had been shot, he said.
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 suspect drove about three miles to the school, though it was not clear where he got the vehicle.
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. Sheriff John Skipper Jr. of Anderson County said the shootings happened outside the school, which has about 280 students.
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. The teenager was caught without incident after the shootings by Jamie Brock, a 30-year volunteer firefighter, the department said. The remaining students were bused to Oak Dale Baptist Church, where they were reunited with their parents.
“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 suspect’s mother was at work and saw the news of the shootings on television, Mr. Shore said.
The motive for the shootings was unclear and there was no known connection between the suspect and the school or the victims there, officials said. Captain Major said the teenager had been home-schooled.
Joanne Avery, the superintendent of Anderson School District 4, 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 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,” she said.
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.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.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. On a live-stream posted to Facebook by WYFF-TV in Greenville, S.C., buses could be seen taking students away. The video also showed parents flocking to the building.
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.
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,” Ms. Poulin said. “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.” In a statement, Gov. Nikki R. 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.”
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.”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.”