Four students have reportedly been injured at Madison High School in Ohio. The incident occurred on the morning of February 29 at the school in Middletown. That’s according to a Facebook post on the school’s page. The town of Middletown is located around 50 miles north of Cincinnati.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Suspect Is a 14-Year-Old Student at the School
One person has been arrested by police in relation to the shooting. That suspect has not been identified. The gunfire broke out in the school’s cafeteria. He is a 14-year-old student at the school. That person then fled the scene but was apprehended shortly afterwards. Fox 19’s Shawn Lanier tweeted that the suspect is “believed to be a student.” One student, Owen Palmer, wrote on Twitter:
8th grade students! reacted by gathering peers and rushing out emergency exits and out through the gym, to me this is awesome. Life savers.
The weapon used was a .380 handgun, according to Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones.
2. 2 of the Injured Students Were Rushed Via Helicopter to a Local Hospital
Police have blocked off roads near Madison High School. High school and junior high remain on lockdown right now.
None of the injuries are considered to be life-threatening. WLWT reports that two of the injured students were transported to a nearby hospital via AirCare. It has originally been reported that only three people had been injured, that number was later upgraded to four. Two people were shot, two were injured by shrapnel. One of the shooting victims is 14 years old the other is 15, reports Cincinnati.com. They have been named as Cameron Smith and Cooper Caffrey. The two who have ancillary wounds are Brant Murray and Katherine Doucette.
3. All Schools in the Area Around Madison High Were Put on Lockdown
The school is on lockdown with parents asked to avoid the area. A statement from the school said that officials plan to dismiss students as soon as possible but need the cooperation of the community to do so. WCPO reporter Marais Jacon-Duffy tweeted that police say the parents of the victims have already been notified. Students will be released to their parents at 1 p.m. local time.
4. The District Wide Lockdowns Have Been Described as ‘Precautionary’
A massive police presence has descended on the school with authorities describing the situation as “under control.” Neighboring schools were also been placed on lockdown. That lockdown included Cincinnati State’s Middletown campus. Madison Elementary School will dismiss one hour early. Those lockdowns were lifted at around 12:40 p.m. local time.
In a statement, the chief of the Middletown police, Rodney Muterspaw said:
Middletown Schools are on Lock-down as a precautionary measure due to a shooting at nearby Madison Schools. We have no received no threats towards anyone at Middletown Schools, however, we want to assure everyone Middletown Schools are not involved.
Our prayers to everyone in Madison during this tragic time. I just cleared the scene there and it is hectic. We ask that everyone allow the authorities there to do their job and allow the schools and the officers involved to process want they need to bring a safe ending to this.
5. The School Is Rated as ‘Excellent’ by the Ohio Department of Education
(Facebook)
According to the school’s website, it was established in 1961. The school’s principal is named William Fisher Jr. On their Facebook page, the facility’s motto is given as, “”Achieving Excellence One Student at a Time.” That social media page says the school is “Rated “Excellent” by the Ohio Department of Education.”