Maryland High School Shooting: Police don't believe shooter targeted victim

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

Scene from Monday's shooting in Baltimore County.

/ CBS Baltimore

(CBS/WJZ/AP) PERRY HALL, Md. - A 15-year-old student opened fire on the first day of classes Monday at a Baltimore County high school, getting off two shots and wounding a classmate before being subdued by teachers, authorities said.

Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson said at a news conference that officers do not believe the victim, a 17-year-old male, was targeted by the shooter, a 15-year-old who is also a student at Perry Hall High School.

A male suspect was taken into custody after the shooting, and police have the weapon, although police would not say what kind of gun it was.

Johnson said at about 10:45 a.m., a student walked into the cafeteria and pulled out a gun. He fired one shot before being grabbed by teachers, and then another shot went off, Johnson said.

A hospital spokeswoman says the teen who was shot is in critical condition.

Johnson says the shooter acted alone.

Kelsey Long, a junior at Perry Hall, said she was in the cafeteria when she heard gunshots.

"I heard a loud popping noise and we thought it was someone popping a bag, but then we heard it again and everyone started screaming and ran out to the front of the school," Long told the Associated Press.

Police said several other students suffered minor injuries during the incident.

"We have some heroic and brave faculty members," Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance said. "They responded very quickly to minimize damage."

Parents told CBS Baltimore that there may have been a threat on Facebook referencing the school, but there are no confirmed reports of that. The message reportedly said, "First Day of School, Last Day of Life."

There are also reports this shooting may have stemmed from a bullying incident, CBS Baltimore reports.

More on Crimesider
August 27, 2012 - Maryland High School Shooting: Student shot at school near Baltimore on first day of classes, police say

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by 14FREEK August 28, 2012 4:05 AM EDT: Every school is a microcosm of it's community. Every Every school has bullies, the best teacher, the best coach, etc. Communities are homogenous across the country. Therefore, this can happen in any school anywhere across the country. It is not about the gun, now is it? SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Maybe it is the school? There is something about school that makes one member want to shoot another? Maybe we should stop having school. I bet if we stopped having school these school shooting would stop.; Reply to this comment

by americalove1 August 27, 2012 9:23 PM EDT

This incident indirectly affects my family. I've recently heard from the kids. The student witnesses say the shooter did NOT open fire! Repeat: DID NOT OPEN FIRE!

They said when the teacher tackled him, the gun went off!

They also said that the "shooter" had been horribly bullied for the past 2 years. They said he repeatedly asked for help from the teachers, administration, and guidance and got nothing from them!

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by fbarich August 28, 2012 7:54 AM EDT: You are incorrect. The student went into the Cafeteria, shot once randomly hitting a special needs student in the back. A Guidance Counselor named Mr. Wasmer grabbed student with the gun and that shot went off into the air. Two shots.


by askagain August 28, 2012 1:14 PM EDT: americalove1 - I'll wait for the police investigation. I'm sure that it will be thourough and be more reliable than rumors.