Taft School Staff Convince Gunman to Put Down Weapon
TAFT, Calif. – One student was shot in the upper right chest on Thursday at Taft Union High School.
A teacher, Ryan Heber and school counselor, Kim Lee Fields, were able to talk to the suspect and convince him to give up his weapon, reports Reuters.
The 16-year-old victim, Bowe Cleveland, was airlifted to a local hospital and is in critical but stable condition. Heber was also reported to have received minor injuries, but he refused medical treatment.
The alleged shooter is now in police custody and is believed to be a 16-year-old student. A shotgun, which was brought from home, was removed from the scene.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in the science building, and the suspect was in custody by 9:20 a.m.. Local Sheriffs deputies went room-by-room to secure the school. The shooting occurred only 10 minutes after school officials announced new lockdown procedures prompted by the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, reports the Associated Press.
The shooting may have been prompted by bullying.
Students were evacuated to the football field, and two others received minor injuries.
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