High school shooting leaves multiple injured at Santa Clarita, California, suspect at large

Elisha Fieldstadt
NBC News
Thu, 14 Nov 2019 17:03 UTC

© Reuters / NBCLA

Police and emergency vehicles on the scene of a shooting at Saugus high school in Santa Clarita

Multiple people were injured, at least two of them critically, in a shooting at a Southern California high school on Thursday morning, officials said.

The Los Angeles County sheriff's department said the suspected gunman, an Asian male wearing black clothing who was last seen at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, was at large.

"This is an active shooter situation," said a tweet from the Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's office. "If you live in neighborhoods anywhere near Saugus High, PLEASE LOCK DOORS and stay inside. If you see suspect, male dark clothing, in backyards, etc. CALL 911"

"Parents, deputies are on scene everywhere protecting your children," said a tweet from the sheriff's office.

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Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital tweeted that it has received two patients in critical condition and that other patients were en route to the hospital.

The Santa Clarita Valley sheriff's office tweeted just before 8 a.m. local time to avoid the area of Saugus High School, which is in the county of Los Angeles about 40 miles north of the city of Los Angeles. Minutes later, the office said people were reporting that shots had been fired at the school.

Saugus was placed on lockdown as were neighboring elementary schools and all of the schools in the William S. Hart Union High School District, officials said.

This is a developing story; please check back for updates.

Elisha Fieldstadt is a breaking news reporter for NBC News

Comment: KTLA5 reports at least five victims have been hospitalized:

Around 7:30 a.m., deputies responded to a report of shots fired on the campus, located at 21900 Centurion Way, the Santa Clarita Sheriff's Station said in a series of tweets.

At least five victims have been hospitalized, including two in critical condition, according to Henry Mayo Hospital.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department indicated there were six to seven victims, but officials were not sure if all of them had been shot.

The shooter is described as an Asian male wearing black clothing, according to the Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva told KTLA that the department has identified the suspect, who appears to be a student. He did not release the student's name.

Authorities are set to serve a search warrant at a home in the area, the sheriff added.

Residents who live anywhere near Saugus High are being told to lock their doors, stay inside and call 911 if they see the suspect. Everyone else is being asked to avoid the area.

Parents will be able to pick up their students at Central Park at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road.

KTLA's Nidia Becerra, Anthony Kurzweil and Kristina Bravo contributed to this story.

RT reports:

Police responded to a shooting at Saugus High School, around 40 miles north of Los Angeles, early Thursday morning. Local media reports three casualties, but police have not yet confirmed this number.

Video footage from the scene showed lines of students being evacuated with their hands over their heads, and paramedics wheeling what appeared to be wounded students out on gurneys.

Around 2,440 students are enrolled at Saugus High School, which serves the city of Santa Clarita.