Three students from a South Carolina high school were shot in a drive-by shooting nearby the school on the third day of classes after returning from summer vacation and the school has closed down for the week, the Associated Press reported.
The Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School students were shot off-campus as they were leaving school. Their injuries were not life-threatening, Orangeburg County School District said. A suspect is being held in custody in connection to the shooting according to Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell. No further information has been released about the suspect including possible charges they may face.
“Throughout the remainder of the week, in-person and remote counseling resources will be made available to Orangeburg-Wilkinson’s students, staff and families as we recover together and heal from such a tragic afternoon,” a statement from the high school said on its website.
For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
Investigators did not discuss any motive for the shooting.
“We plan for these things, hoping we never have to use them,” Orangeburg County schools superintendent Shawn Foster said in a statement to reporters outside the school a few hours after the shooting.
As Foster spoke, a voice on a loudspeaker in the background could be heard reading a continuous stream of names to report to the front office as teachers and staff worked to reunite the 1,100 students at the school with parents.
Hundreds of parents rushed to the school as news of the shooting spread, and a number were frustrated they could not immediately see their children. But the sheriff said they had to make sure everyone was accounted for first.
After finding out her 15-year-old son was safe, Tomekia Griffin told The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg that rising gun violence adds another worry about sending him to school in person.
“I’m going to see if I can sign him up for virtual,” Griffin told the newspaper.
There will be counselors at a nearby technology center and available online for students, officials said.
The school also moved Friday’s football game from its campus to their opponent’s field in Beaufort County.
Teachers will continue to work at the school about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Columbia and can receive counseling as well, the school district said.
Ravenell praised teachers and other school employees for making sure the shooting did not end up worse.
“Because of their quick actions and different things they did out there at the school today, I believe that saved lives and other students being injured,” the sheriff said.
