There’s been another school shooting, this one at Lone Star College in North Houston. Gun fire erupted between a group of males in the college at about 12:30 p.m. The college is located about 20 minutes away from Downtown Houston.
Shooting around 12:31 today at LSC-North Harris between two individuals,three shot.Danger has been mitigated. Situation under control.
— Lone Star College (@lonestarcollege) January 22, 2013
Here’s what we know so far.
1. Fox News has Speculated that it is “Gang Related”
Reports say now that the shooting occurred as the result of a fight between a group of people. Students got into a heated argument and opened fire, one member of staff was caught in the crossfire.
2. The Shooting Happened Around the Library
The shooting happened when an argument broke out in a hallway in front of the library.
Student Amanda Vasquez told CNN:
I was in the academic building, waiting for English class to start. I heard about six shots, and kids started rushing down the hallway. A few came into our class. It really happened so fast…
3. There Are Reports of Three People Injured
Credit to Air11
One of the shooters is reported to be one of those shot. Local authorities have not confirmed this number, nor if one of those shot was indeed the shooter. One of the victims has been named as Jody Neal who was shot in his leg, arm, and stomach. He is 24 year-old art student, his uncle told Fox News that he believed his nephew was an innocent bystander.
Harris County, TX Medical Examiners Office tells NBC News that as of 2:25pm they’ve not been notified of any fatalities at Lone Star College
— NBC News (@NBCNews) January 22, 2013
4. There Are Reports of One Person in Custody
The man taken into custody had been shot.
5. There Are Reports of a Second Suspect Being Sought
Fox News reports that another shooter is “on loose”. Police are searching a wooded area beside the school for the other suspect. Armed police have formed a perimeter around the surrounding area of the college. Police have described their search as looking for “an active shooter”. According to News 92 FM, he was seen running north away from the college wearing an Atlanta Falcons hat and red shirt.
6. The Campus is Being Evacuated
7. One of the Shooters is Reported to have been Shot
One of those shot was brought out on a stretcher and then handcuffed by local police, according to KHOU.
8. Initial Reports are that the Victims were Shot in the Legs
Courtesy of Chron.com
Those who were shot were brought to Ben Taub General Hospital and not to Texas Trauma Institute as was originally reported.
9. The School has over 18,000 Students
This is in addition to 282 members of faculty. The college is located close George H.W. Bush International Airport. It is also a two year college and 65% of the student body attend the school on a part time basis. The school is part of a larger network that stretches across Texas, the entire network includes 90,000 students.
10. The Shooting Occurred just after 12:30 p.m. Local Time
At 12:52 a message appeared on the college website telling students and faculty to take shelter and not to move around the campus.