Crime

Shotgun-Wielding 15 Year-Old Opens Fire on Baltimore High School, 1 Student Shot in Back

Shotgun Wielding 15 Year Old Opens Fire on Baltimore High School, 1 Student Shot in Back

Photograph from WMAR (Baltimore).

PERRY HALL, Md. (The Blaze/AP) — A 15-year-old student opened fire on the first day of classes Monday at a Baltimore County high school, getting off two shots and wounding a classmate before being rushed by teachers, authorities said.

Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson said at a news conference that officers do not believe the victim, a 17-year-old male, was targeted by the shooter, a 15-year-old who is also a student at Perry Hall High School. A male suspect was taken into custody after the shooting, and police have the weapon, although police would not say what kind of gun it was.

Johnson said at about 10:45 a.m., a student walked into the cafeteria and pulled out a gun. He fired one shot before being grabbed by teachers, and then another shot went off as teachers grabbed him, Johnson said.

Kelsey Long, a junior at Perry Hall, said she was in the cafeteria when she heard gunshots.

“I heard a loud popping noise and we thought it was someone popping a bag, but then we heard it again and everyone started screaming and ran out to the front of the school,” Long told The Associated Press in a Twitter message.

Police said several other students suffered minor, non-shooting injuries during the incident.

“We have some heroic and brave faculty members,” Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance said. “They responded very quickly to minimize damage.”

Johnson said the suspect acted alone. He did not answer numerous questions from reporters about a motive.

The school was evacuated, and students were escorted to a nearby shopping center and middle school.

WJZ-TV showed video of a shirtless male with his hands behind his back being put into a police cruiser.

Perry Hall is a middle-class community along the Interstate 95 corridor, northeast of Baltimore city. The school is the largest in the county, with 2,200 students.

County Councilman David Marks, who lives next door to the school, said he had received dozens of phone calls and text messages from worried parents and residents.

“This is a very comfortable, very safe community, and it’s an excellent high school,” said Marks, who graduated from Perry Hall. “I think this is an aberration, but clearly one that is horrifying, particularly on the first day of school.”

Television coverage showed scores of police cars surrounding the school and parked on neighborhood streets. A group of officers with weapons drawn staked out a corner of the building, one of them lying prone on the ground and appearing to cover a particular area of the campus. Hundreds of students streamed away from the school toward a nearby shopping center where they met their parents.

Cathy Le, 15, said students were panicking as they tried to find out what was happening, texting and calling each other frantically as they waited in lockdown.

Le said she and other students were locked in their classrooms for more than an hour.

At the scene, buses, emergency vehicles and parents in cars filled the roadway between the high school and the shopping center. There were obvious signs of relief displayed as parents found their children.

Kristin Kraus, whose son James attends the school, described hearing about the shooting as “absolute terror.” However, Kraus said, “within a couple of minutes he texted my husband that he was OK.”

This is yet another in a string of shootings that has rocked the country in recent months, including the incidents in Aurora, Colorado and at the Empire State building in Manhattan. Last week, TheBlaze explored what this could mean for recent pushes to enact stricter gun laws across the country:

Organizations that support gun control, such as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Violence Policy Center, make a heavily data-driven case in favor of gun control. For instance, the Violence Policy Center claims that the states with the laxest gun laws lead the nation in terms of gun-related deaths:

The analysis reveals that the five states with the highest per capita gun death rates were Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, Alabama, and Nevada. Each of these states had a per capita gun death rate far exceeding the national per capita gun death rate of 10.34 per 100,000 for 2007. Each of the top-ranking states has lax gun laws and higher gun ownership rates. By contrast, states with strong gun laws and low rates of gun ownership had far lower rates of firearm-related death. Ranking last in the nation for gun death was Hawaii, followed by Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.

The assumption on the part of this group is that because there is a correlation between lax gun laws and gun violence, therefore the former causes the latter, or at least facilitates it.

In the wake of this most recent incident, we will likely hear more from the Brady Campaign and outspoken leaders like New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg about the need for stricter gun laws across the country.

 

This is a breaking story, please check back for updates.

The Associated Press contributed to this article. 

Comments (63)

1 2
  • scrudge
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:39pm

    Ah Yes…. places to stay away from… gun free ZONES.. its so conforting to know only the bad will have firearms

    Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 4:57pm

      He must have anticipated being bullied. To have the foresight to bring a weapon , just in case he was picked on, shows he was thinking well ahead.
      Or he just didn’t like dessert.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • WATER-THE-TREE
      Posted on August 28, 2012 at 2:09am

      Actually he could have killed more with a knife, There would be no loud noise to alert people to his killing, many more would be dead. Just saying.

      Report Post » WATER-THE-TREE  
  • javasport
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:36pm

    Weird, Baltimore and Maryland in general have the strictest gun control laws in the country. Not sure why this would happen there.

    Report Post »  
    • Jaycen
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 5:25pm

      Yeah, if you believe their own propaganda, it shouldn’t have happened at all. All Progressive Socialists and Communists should move to the Utopia that is the Northeast. They can consume each other in relative peace.

      Report Post » Jaycen  
  • Daddy Hawg
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:21pm

    yeah, gun deaths are down, but I just read an article stating that deaths by knives and other cutting instruments is up by 50% in NY. Spoon anyone?

    Report Post » Daddy Hawg  
  • QuincySmith
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:16pm

    Wonder what would have happened if Baltimore spent money on security, rather than ‘business’ purposes.

    Report Post » QuincySmith  
  • jungle J
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:02pm

    i have learned to despise most public school superintendents.

    Report Post »  
  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:48pm

    This country was built by ignorat people, led by a few smart people for financial gain!

    Report Post »  
    • realistic_01
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:12pm

      You are obviously one of the “ignorat (sic)” ones.

      Report Post »  
    • watashbuddyfriend
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 6:58pm

      @ realistic_01
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:12pm

      “You are obviously one of the “ignorat (sic)” ones.”

      Seems YOU are ignorant of history?

      Report Post »  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:57pm

      Ha! Ignorati!
      I like it, thx, Can I have, purdy please, both of you guys permission for use?

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
  • woodyee
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:43pm

    Guess what?

    Yet ANOTHER “Gun Free” zone… The time is now upon us to eliminate “gun free” zones…They’re dangerous!

    Report Post » woodyee  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 6:59pm

      and besides that – the 15 year old wasn’t old enough to have a weapon – so another law he failed to comply with/ Too bad reading skills are so low in the public school system or else he would have beem able to read the law….oh wait, I bet he didn’t care how many laws were on teh books – he would have broken any ofthem….nahhh nevermind – I forgot, everyone knows criminals and potential criminals always obey all laws and societal norms

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
  • WTFHappenedToTheUSA
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:14pm

    It‘s a damn good think none of Bloomberg or Ray Kelley’s cops were there, the carnage would have undoubtedly been higher…

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:11pm

    unarmed children in schools are fish in barrels.

    .

    Report Post » BurntHills  
  • blazingaway
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:50pm

    You know why do we make children goto school who do not want to be there?
    STOP IT! Just let them be and grow into what they want to become. If it is a criminal we’ll deal with them then. If it is a laborer so be it and let them be happy. An education is worth what you pay for and since they’re not paying for it, it is worthless to them unless someone can impress upon them the value of it. But the educational system can‘t or won’t so just let these children go and let’s stop paying for a failure and return to a private system of education that is tax deductible. Then people who go to school will value it as a privilege instead of a forced way of life. Then we‘ll have Americans willing to do jobs that American’s are not willing to do if they want to eat and after we stop all this public welfare crap. Life is hard and not forgiving and some people only learn that by living it since mother nature wants to make you into another creature’s lunch.

    Report Post » blazingaway  
  • cemerius
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:34pm

    Do they factor in the police shootings too? How about the violent crimes in these wonderful liberal cities/states they mentioned? How many rapes and robberies happen because their citizens are NOT armed? Of course, these are pesky questions that detract from their quests for power over the “peasants”!!

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • NHwinter
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:32pm

    I was in high school in the 60s. There were no gangs, no violence, no guns. We still bowed our head at the beginning of the school day and said the Lord’s Prayer. We respected the teachers and our parents. Getting good grades and being a good “citizen” was respected. Why has it changed? When you take God, morals, and respect out of school and society and replace it with PC nothing classes and make government the new authority, this is what you get. Sad. I hope we get real change this November. R&R

    Report Post » NHwinter  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:38pm

      I started school in ‘59, and that was pretty much the same way that we had it. Any gangs we ever heard of were probably less than a handful in NYC, and those choreographed dancers in West Side Story.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • McNamara
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:58pm

      Even into the 70‘s and 80’s we did the same thing. The biggest deal I ever heard was in highschool when someone had brought a knife in the trunk of thier car…

      Report Post » McNamara  
    • Cry_Havoc
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 3:55pm

      I graduated in 1990, and we had 22 caliber bolt action rifles with thousands of rounds for our rifle team in a safe in the ROTC armory. Wonder how no one got shot?

      Report Post » Cry_Havoc  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 6:57pm

      I bet most of the students at your guy’s school were white. Every white man should marry a white woman and then have two minority mistresses and breed all three of them vigorously. Come on white men use what God gave you. Let’s make this country great again by fuc3ing the brown out of it.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • Tom K
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:31pm

    Just what is the definition of the term: Lax Gun Laws ? The Brady Bunch and the Violence Policy Center are shills for more gun control and eventual confiscation of all lawfully owned firearms. The listed communities in the story, Aurora, CO,, New York City and Baltimore, just happen to be Liberal Governed with strict gun control laws, all of which were broken with each of the corresponding crimes. This shooting, which occured in a “gun-free zone”, is not unexpected in Violent Baltimore where roving mobs attack people downtown EVERY WEEKEND.

    Report Post »  
  • Eric_The_Red_State
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:29pm

    The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun

    Report Post » Eric_The_Red_State  
  • Lordbowler
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Why is it that these shootings always happen in gun-free zones?

    Report Post »  
  • jackact
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:15pm

    Message to liberals:
    There is no societal cure or gun control legislation to right this.
    There are nut cases everywhere.
    The sooner you learn this, the better.
    At least those of us who believe in the 2nd amendment can defend ourselves
    Harsh words and pointed sticks will get you nowhere.
    Neither will any attempt to repeal.

    Report Post »  
  • geminicontender
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:14pm

    Your article did not mention the 13 shootings in Chicago last week

    Report Post » geminicontender  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:36pm

      Nor the 19 shooting deaths the weekend before.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:16pm

      ‘Sokay, they are minority on minority. They aren’t seen b he liberal better ones as human, just voters. And a dead voter is as good as a anew one.

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
    • Twobyfour
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 8:26pm

      b he = by the.

      My keyboard is acting up again.

      Report Post » Twobyfour  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:14pm

    Ban steak knives while your at it…………

    Report Post »  
  • christos
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:09pm

    …What is their idea of bunching the shootings together under their anti protect yourself from the Nazis,,,Hear Ye Hear Ye NAZIS – Go To Hell Filth.

    Report Post » christos  
  • Deckle
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:08pm

    How do they keep getting the guns in the high schools?

    Report Post »  
    • 502_eagle
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:46pm

      I don’t know about Baltimore or other big cities, but in my area all you would have to do is walk through the front door, or a side door if you choose.

      Report Post » 502_eagle  
  • christos
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:07pm

    …Schools are out dated only “Virtual Schools” are sustainable,,,Schools are breeding grounds for Contempt for +JESUS+GOD+ .

    Report Post » christos  
    • FREEDOMoverFEAR
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 7:00pm

      Schools are a breeding ground for students. Damn I miss high school I got so much….studying done, ya studying.

      Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
  • raderby
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:06pm

    Bush is at fault, Romney’s insensitivity did it. TEA party maniac at fault.

    Report Post » raderby  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:43pm

      Don’t think for a moment that somebody in the media did not take the perps name and added Tea Party into his search engine.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • Redfor
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:09pm

      LOL Goth=Conservative? LOL think ya have that one backwards….. Funny thing is… If you were able to see how each of these mass gun shooting people registered to vote.. I‘d almost put money on it that they’re Liberals… Because they tend to get mighty angry when they dont get things that they deserve…

      Report Post »  
  • DimmuBorgir
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:05pm

    So basically they only want gun control if you’re White.

    Apparently all the other shootings that go on HOURLY by minorities don’t register as “gun” violence.

    I’m telling you people, read “The Turner Diaries” and it spells all of this out. It was also written a couple decades ago.

    They will come for our guns under the guise of stopping hate crimes.

    Everyone will be allowed gun rights. But Racists will be made felons and not allowed to own guns.

    Only Whites will be deemed racist because as we all know, blacks aren’t capable of being racist.

    Therefore all Whites will be stripped of their guns and we will be hunted down.

    Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:29pm

      The shooter is black. I don’t know about the victim. I don;t think this was over race. The shooter posted on Facebook something ‘1st day of school last day of my life’. My surmise is that this young man stewed over this for all of summer vacation.

      This was something that started in the neighborhood or something that the school could not or would not solve.

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:51pm

      You also left out the new hate group of the likes of Corkin that is running out there loose with weapons.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • DimmuBorgir
      Posted on August 27, 2012 at 2:22pm

      @WALKABOUT

      It’s hard to tell anymore from the stories. The only identifier I saw was his clothing was “gothic” and since there’s like 1 black “goth” I guess i was mislead.

      I still stand by everything I wrote in my previous comment.

      Report Post » DimmuBorgir  
  • CatB
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 1:04pm

    In another sitting duck zone .. oops .. I mean gun free zone.

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on August 27, 2012 at 12:58pm

    This is spreading like the flu.

    Report Post »  
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