TOWNVILLE, S.C., Sept. 28 (UPI) — Authorities are trying to piece together a scenario Wednesday that left a man dead in his home and two young boys injured at a nearby South Carolina elementary school — and put a teenage suspect in custody, authorities said.
Deputies responded to Townsville Elementary School just after 1:45 p.m. EDT Wednesday and found two young students and a teacher had been wounded by gunfire. The school, with nearly 300 students, is located about 40 miles west of Greenville, S.C.
The suspected gunman, a teenage boy, was immediately apprehended within minutes. Officials declined to give his exact age.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Garland Major said the suspected shooter is believed to have killed his father at their home before going to the school. The victim was identified as 47-year-old Jeffrey Osborne.
The relationships between the suspect and the three wounded at the school was not immediately known, Major said.
Investigators said those shot at the school include two 6-year-old boys and a female teacher. She was shot in the shoulder, one boy was hit in the leg and the other boy in the foot. None of their injuries are life-threatening.
The school was evacuated and classes have been canceled for the rest of the week, a school official said.
“We are heartbroken about this senseless act of violence,” Dr. Joanne Avery said at the news conference. “This is a very difficult time … please keep the injured students and their families in your prayers.”
Investigators said Osborne’s death and the school shooting are related, but it was unclear why the shooter went to the elementary school or what relationship he may have with the victims there. The teenager’s family called police after Osborne was shot, Major said.
Major and school officials praised deputies for their quick response and said it may have prevented additional victims. However, many of the details of the crime are still unknown.
“This is going to be very slow and methodical investigation,” Major said.
