A boy is in police custody after a shooting inside Heritage High School in Virginia that sent two students to the hospital with gunshot wounds, Newport News Police Department has confirmed.
A spokesperson from the department told Global News police were called to the scene at 11:39 a.m. on Monday.
Police said they believe the suspect knew both shooting victims, but were unable to provide further details.
Speaking to reporters outside the school, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said both victims were 17-years-old. He said a boy had been shot in the side of the face, while a girl was shot in the leg.
Police said their injuries “are not believed to be life-threatening” in a publicly available statement.
Two other people were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries that were “related to evacuating the school,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, students have been evacuated and sent to wait in nearby tennis courts as police continue their investigation and work to ensure all students are escorted from the building safely.
By 12:18 p.m., police tweeted that officers had arrived at the school.
“Students are being evacuated and sent to the tennis courts,” police said. “Parents can meet them there.”
It is unclear if the shooting is still ongoing, or whether anyone has been injured.
Dominic Banks, a senior at Heritage High, told local media outlet the Daily Press that he thought the first gunshot was the sound of a classroom door slamming shut — until other students started screaming and running away.
He said he joined the crowds and ran outside, eventually finding a place to hide.
“It’s very disappointing,” he said. “Everybody in here’s life just got put in danger over one student wanting to bring a gun to the school.”
Shortly after the shooting, Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner tweeted he was “closely monitoring the horrifying reports.”
“Praying for the health and safety of all involved as we wait to learn more,” the tweet read.
Congressman Bobby Scott, who represents the state’s third congressional district, reiterated on Twitter that police were “advising all parents to pick up their students from the school’s tennis courts.”
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