A 12-year-old student has died in a shooting that took place at a South Carolina middle school on Thursday, while another child, also 12, was taken into custody.
According to disturbing reports, more than 100 officers responded to Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville after calls were placed to the authorities regarding a shooting.
Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said that a request for backup was lodged at about 12:30 p.m. on Thursday by the school’s resource officer.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis revealed that a 12-year-old boy had been rushed to hospital with a gunshot wound. Sadly, it was later confirmed on Facebook that he had succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Another 12-year-old student was taken into custody close to the campus a short time after the call by the school resource officer was made. It’s said he fled the school immediately after the shooting had occurred.
As per reports, deputies were tipped off as to the suspect’s whereabouts, and eventually found him hiding under the deck of a nearby residence. A handgun was confiscated and the boy was taken into custody, where he was charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a firearm on school property and unlawful possession of a weapon by a minor.
The sheriff’s office confirmed that the two boys, victim and suspect, “were familiar with each other”, though the motive, and the means by which the shooter got hold of a gun, are yet being investigated.
“We have a had a very trying situation, for sure,” Sheriff Lewis said. “Our heart goes out to the family, all the families involved. We certainly ask that you pray for the family of that victim.”
Greenville County School District Superintendent Burke Royster said it is still unclear what led to the shooting.
“I’m not sure even after a full and thorough law enforcement investigation anyone will really know what was going through the mind of that young person that took this rash act,” he said. “So I don’t know if there’s anyone … except that person, and they may not even be able to articulate it for you.”
As the boys are both minors, neither has been identified.
My word, my heart simply bleeds at the state of the world today. How can we send our children to school when things like this can happen?
My thoughts and prayers go out to the 12-year-old boy who has lost his life. Please, join us in prayer and keep his family in your thoughts.
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