At least 8 dead in Texas high school shooting

Officials say one person is in custody and a second person has been detained. US President Donald Trump has expressed “sadness and heartbreak” over the incident.

A gunman opened fire at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday, killing at least eight people.

The incident is the latest in a series of shootings at US schools and universities. In February, a gunman killed 17 students and staff members at a Florida high school, intensifying a national debate over gun control and gun rights.

What we know so far

• Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez confirmed the casualties, saying the death toll could be as high as 10.
• At least nine people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, including a police officer.
• Gonzalez said “a suspect” had been taken into custody and a second possible person of interest had been detained.
• A person in custody has been identified as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, the Associated Press news agency reported, citing a law enforcement official.
• The sheriff’s office said its deputies were assisting with a “multiple-casualty incident.
• School officials said investigators also discovered possible explosive devices at the school and off campus.
• Shots broke out at about 8 a.m. (1300 GMT) shortly after the start of school.
• School officials said law enforcement officers were working to secure the building and move students to another location.
• Aerial footage showed police escorting lines of students out of the building and medical helicopters landing at the school in Santa Fe, around 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Houston.

Trump expresses ‘heartbreak’

US President Donald Trump expressed “sadness and heartbreak” over the incident.

Trump described the incident as “absolutely horrific” and said: “This has been going on too long in our country.”

“My administration is determined to do everything in our power to protect our students, secure our schools, and to keep weapons out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves, and to others,” he added.

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