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Law enforcement responded to a shots fired call at Freeman High School Wednesday morning.
Authorities say a suspect is detained. There are no active threat to the community.
There is one confirmed fatality: a student.
Sacred Heart Medical Center confirms that three victims, all described as in their mid-teens, have been admitted to the hospital and are in stable condition. Two were brought by ambulance and one by Life Flight helicopter. One will have surgery later. All three will stay at least overnight.
The first press conference was held at Freeman High School at 12:15 pm. Sacred Heart officials gave another conference at the hospital at 1:30. At a third press conference on location around 2:10, Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich said that the shooter, a male sophomore, brought two guns to school. The first one, an automatic rifle, jammed and another student confronted him. The alleged shooter used the second weapon, a hand gun, to shoot the confronting student, in addition to three other students in a second-floor hallway. The student who confronted the shooter died on scene. Police did not fire their weapons, as a staff member had neutralized the suspect upon their arrival. The alleged shooter is now in custody at the Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded, including Washington State Patrol and SWAT. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tweeted that special agents from the ATF Seattle Field Division are responding.
All Spokane Public Schools, the Central Valley School District and the Mead District were on lockdown, but at 11:25 am, SPS tweeted that their schools are no longer on lockdown. Click here for more information on school emergency procedures.
Freeman HS was cleared. Parents were asked to meet at the tennis courts on Freeman school property.
Freeman middle and elementary school students were released to parents at the west access of the school.
Freeman High School serves more than 300 students in the small community of Freeman and surrounding areas. First responders from several neighboring jurisdictions responded to the shooting. Officials were urging motorists not to use Highway 27 so that ambulances and other vehicles could get through.
Many witnesses were interviewed.
U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers tweeted, “Awful — just hearing of the shooting at Freeman HS near Spokane. As we continue to get more details my heart goes out to all impacted.”
And Gov. Jay Inslee’s office issued a statement shortly after noon: “All Washingtonians are thinking of the victims and their families, and are grateful for the service of school staff and first responders working to keep our students safe. As Spokane County officials continue their investigation to get the answers to the questions so many of us have during these unthinkable tragedies, the Washington State Patrol and all state agencies will do whatever we can to help provide support and comfort in the days and weeks to come.”
KHQ had multiple crews at the scene.
Vigils are scheduled for Wednesday night at the following places:
- Prayer Vigil at St. John's Cathedral
- 7pm - Tonight
- Valley Real Life
- 6:30-8pm - Tonight
- 6pm-6:30 - Tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 14th)
- Fairfield Community Church
- 206 W. Hamilton, Fairfield, WA
- 7pm - Tonight
- River Park Square
- 7pm
(story, photo, and video: KHQ.com)