A school shooting occurred on Monday in St. Louis, and the school’s closed doors may have given officers “some time” to respond.
Shortly after 9 a.m., the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department responded to a shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School. Two victims have died after the shooting, police said. Police also confirmed that the suspected gunman was killed after exchanging gunshots with the responding officers.
During a press conference, St. Louis Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams said all high school doors were locked and that there were several security guards at each of the building entrances. St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department Interim Commissioner Michael Sack also said one of the guards saw the suspected gunman trying to enter the school and immediately called 911.
“It was that security guard’s timely response, the fact that the door put the suspect on hold, that gave us some time,” Sack said at the press conference.
Monday’s shooting comes on the same day that Ethan Crumbley, the suspect accused of shooting four students at Oxford High School in Michigan, pleaded guilty to four murders and 19 other charges.
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During Monday’s press conference, police were unable to identify the gunman or say how he entered the school. However, Sack did say that the person was in his twenties and had a long gun with him.
In addition to the two victims who died in the shooting, police also said several others were transported to a nearby hospital with various injuries.
“Our kids shouldn’t be going through this,” St. Louis mayor Tishaura Jones said Monday. “They shouldn’t be doing active target practice in case something happens. And unfortunately that happened today.”
In addition to the mayor of St. Louis, several other elected officials responded to the shooting.
“Devastating news in St. Louis. I am grateful for the prompt response from local law enforcement. My office is in touch with local authorities and we are standing by to provide any assistance we can,” said Missouri Senator Josh Hawley. a tweet.
Devastating news in St. Louis. I am grateful for the quick response of the local police. My office is in contact with the local authorities and we are ready to provide any assistance possible https://t.co/8WpBPKp0vw
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 24, 2022
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly Gardner said“St. Louis mourns the loss of life in a place that should be free from violence: the classroom. The victims, their families and the entire St. Louis community are on my mind as we begin the long and complicated process of healing.”
In a statement sent to News weekFred Guttenberg, whose child was killed in the shooting at a school in Parkland, said: “Unfortunately, I am speechless again.”
“The truth is, I’ve said it before. It doesn’t have to be. We can reduce gun violence. We need to vote for candidates who want to do more to reduce gun violence. The Safer Communities Act was a start. Now we have more candidates for weapons safety need to complete,” Guttenberg told News week.
News week contacted the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department for updated information.
