Cops and emergency workers rushed to Austin-East Magnet High School in Knoxville, Tennessee after getting a distress call that there was a suspect shooting sporadically on the premises.
A police statement confirmed that the shooting left one male victim dead and a police officer injured.
The officer, whose name is not yet known, is expected to survive after being shot at least one time at Austin-East Magnet High School.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon confirmed that she spoke to the officer and that he is expected to be OK, but will need to undergo surgery.
The Knoxville Police Department confirmed that:
“Officers responded to Austin-East Magnet High School on the report of a male subject who was possibly armed in the school.
“Upon approach of the subject, shots were fired,” the department said in a statement.
“The officer was struck at least one time and taken to UT Medical Center, while the other victim was pronounced dead at the scene,” the statement continued.
“There are no other known gunshot victims,” it said.
Cops and emergency workers rushed to the scene around 3.15 pm on Monday, April 12, and blocked off access to the school.
Bob Thomas, the superintendent of Knox County Schools, confirmed a shooting had occurred but the building had been secured.
“The school building has been secured and students who were not involved in the incident have been released to their families,” Thomas said.
He added that authorities were gathering information and about “this tragic situation” and that additional information would be provided later.
Three helicopters were on the scene shortly after the shooting, and local reporters said that there was a large police presence, with officers confirming that multiple agencies were at the location.
A suspect has, however, been taken in for questioning.
