With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Gardena High Student Gunman Surrenders
The student gunman who reportedly shot three students at Gardena High a few hours ago and forced a school-wide lockdown, has surrendered to police, according to LA Now.
Though the gunman was believed to have fled the scene on foot, police found him holed up in a classroom where he spoke with police for quite some time before surrendering. TV footage showed students running out of the area to safety.
Police handcuffed the student, dressed in all black, and escorted him out of the building. He allegedly removed a gun from his backpack when the gun "went off" and it is believed a single bullet hit several students. Police are trying to determine if the gun went off accidentally or if the student targeted his classmates.
Students are being moved to a "secure" location on the high school campus and the entire facility remains on lockdown. The condition of those shot in the incident remains unknown, though one is reported to have been shot in the head and another has been shot in the neck.
Support for LAist comes from
12:53 P.M. UPDATE: LA Now is reporting that a school district official said a gun in the student's backback "accidentally discharged" about 10:40 a.m when a 10th grade boy either dropped or bumped the backpack that contained the gun. One girl was shot in the head and is in critical condition at the hospital. One boy was shot in the shoulder.
2:24 P.M. UPDATE: LAUSD has issued a statement on the shooting stating that "a Gardena High School student who is believed to be in the 10th grade, entered a classroom and placed his backpack on a desk. Preliminary information indicates that inside the backpack was a loaded weapon that appears to have accidentally discharged, injuring two students. A 15-year-old female student received a gunshot wound to the head. A 15-year-old male student received a gunshot wound to the neck. Both have been transported to a local area hospital for treatment." School was dismissed at 2 p.m. today and LAUSD crisis team members will be on campus today and tomorrow to provide support and assistance to students, school administrators, teachers and staff.
3:57 P.M. UPDATE: The student held for the "acccidental" shooting of two students had brought a gun to school "a couple times" before after having been in a fight outside of school that made him fear for his safety, according to LA Now. When the gun went off in his backpack and struck two students, he apologized before running out of the classroom. Investigators are looking into how a student could so easily enter the school with a gun.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist