A Florida high school was reportedly placed on lockdown Wednesday morning after a 17-year-old student fatally shot herself in the school auditorium.
WESH reported that a Lake Mary High School student took her own life five minutes after asking to use the bathroom at 7:45 a.m. A teacher reportedly heard a single gunshot, prompting an immediate code red lockdown.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said school resource deputies and a nurse responded to the shooting in “less than a minute” but couldn’t save the girl.
Principal Mickey Reynolds and Seminole County Superintendent Walt Griffin confirmed to the Orlando Sentinel that Thursday classes at the high school are canceled, in addition to all athletic and extracurricular activities Wednesday and Thursday. Grief counselors will be available at the school Thursday despite classes not being held.
Parents were notified of the incident through a recorded phone call. Lemma said the deceased junior’s parents have been informed of her death, according to WESH.
He said parents were allowed to pick up their children after the lockdown was lifted and students who drove to school could also leave if they wished to do so.
Investigators are reportedly investigating how the teen obtained the handgun and how she got it on campus. Lemma said there is no indication any students or staff witnessed the shooting.
The school county superintendent and high school principal offered their condolences in a joint statement issued to WFTV.
“First and foremost, our hearts are truly heavy and we are deeply saddened by the events of today. Each and every SCPS family member extend our condolences to the student’s family and to the LMHS family. As always, we are here to support you,” they said.
WATCH LIVE: Sheriff providing update on incident that caused lockdown at Lake Mary High School
WATCH LIVE: An "isolated incident" caused a Code Red lockdown at Lake Mary High School Wednesday morning. Deputies said the lockdown was lifted and campus and students are safe. READ MORE: https://at.wftv.com/2UAJc3E
Posted by WFTV Channel 9 on Wednesday, March 13, 2019
[Featured image: WKMG video screengrab]
