A 16-year-old student opened fire at a Santa Clarita high school Thursday morning, killing two fellow students and wounding three more, authorities said.
During a morning press conference, LA County Sheriff Department Capt. Kent Wegener stated the suspect, whose birthday was the day of the shooting, was hospitalized in grave condition after he was found in the Saugus High School quad with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The five victims included three girls ages 14, 15 and 16 and two 14-year-old boys, according to authorities. At an afternoon press conference, Dr. Larry Kidd, the chief clinical officer at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, stated one of the victims was in good condition and later released.
The underage victims were not identified and authorities declined to reveal the suspect’s name at the press conference because he is a minor. It is also Annenberg Media’s policy to not name mass shooting suspects.
Dr. Loyd Mark, a trauma surgeon at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital who saw some of the victims, shared his grievances to the community at the same conference.
“As a father, as a trauma surgeon, there are no words to describe the emotions for this,” he said. “We also need to remember there are more victims than just the ones at the hospital. There are families, classmates and the community, and we’d like to offer the hospital as a resource for these victims.”
The shooting happened before Adam Eichensehr, a sophomore at Saugus, arrived on campus.
“I was walking to school and I got texts to not come to school and that there was a shooter,” he told Annenberg Media. “I didn’t believe it at first, but then, you know, I saw a bunch of cops and so I walked back home and called my mom.”
Junior Katie Pome described the affected community as quiet and close-knit, and how they’re “always kind of there for each other no matter what happens." She also recalled what it was like on campus during the shooting.
"It was scary, I didn't know where half of my friends were,” Pome said. “Everyone was calling and texting me asking if I'm okay… Locking the doors and having the police escort you out is the most terrifying thing ever and not knowing what’s happening … it was just scary hearing gunshots and then running into a classroom.”
During the afternoon conference, Wegener revealed that the suspect’s Instagram account bio read “Saugus have fun at school tomorrow.” He added that the text was later changed by another person after the shooting occurred.
Wegener also said a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol was recovered, but the owner of the weapon was unknown. He added that gun registration could not be revealed.
Paul Delacourt, assistant director of the Los Angeles FBI field office, said the suspect’s motive was unknown and there was no reason to believe that he was acting on behalf of a group or ideology, or had any co-conspirators.
In response to the shooting, all schools within the William S. Hart Union High School District were placed on lockdown, according to a statement from Mike Kuhlman, deputy superintendent of the Hart District.
In a later statement from Kuhlman, he announced that all schools in the district would be closed Friday. He also added counseling services and additional support would be provided for students and staff from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Santa Clarita Activities Center and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Grace Baptist Church.
“The gun violence experienced across our nation, and all too often on school campuses, has prompted our district, like others, to conduct staff and student trainings for these unthinkable events,” the statement read. “We take the training seriously; we prayed that we would never need it. Yet today, our brilliant staff bravely and vigilantly went into action. Placing a priority on their students’ safety, our wonderful Saugus High School team were quick to order students to shelter in place, and your students responded. Praise them for their responsible behavior, especially in the face of overwhelming fear.”
Correction 10:56 p.m. Nov. 14: a previous version of this story said Friday is Nov. 14; it’s Nov. 15.