(ST. LOUIS) — A 16-year-old girl and a 61-year-old woman were killed by a gunman in a shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis, Missouri, on Monday morning, according to authorities.
The gunman “was quickly stopped by police,” there was an exchange of gunfire and the suspect has also died, according to the St. Louis Public School District and St. Louis police.
Seven other victims, ranging from 15 to 16 years old, were hospitalized with injuries including gunshot wounds, police said. All were currently listed in stable condition, according to police.
During a press conference Monday evening, police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Orlando Harris, a former student who graduated from the high school last year.
Police said Harris has no prior criminal history, and they’re working to establish a motive, saying Monday night there are “suspicions that there may be some mental illness that he was experiencing.”
The shooting was reported at about 9:10 a.m. local time, police said. As students fled the building, they reported that a gunman was armed with a long gun, police said.
Authorities did not say how the gunman entered the building but police stressed that the school’s doors were locked.
Seven security guards were in the school, according to St. Louis Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams. Officials said security staff identified the suspect’s efforts to enter the school and immediately notified other staff.
Police said “the scene is secure and there is no active threat.”
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones said at a press conference she had visited students at the school when the year started.
“They were bright eyed, bushy tailed. We laughed, we sang, we danced. And now to be here for such a devastating and traumatic situation breaks my heart,” she said. “I’m heartbroken for these families who send their children to our schools hoping that they will be safe. Our children shouldn’t have to experience this.”
The mayor added, “I’m sure that everyone involved is going to have to deal with the trauma that will reverberate across our community.”
When asked about the shooting, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Monday’s press briefing, “We need additional action to stop the scourge of gun violence.”
“Every day that the Senate fails to send assault weapons ban to the president’s desk, or waits to take … other commonsense actions, is a day too late for our families and communities impacted by gun violence,” she said.
ABC News’ Ben Gittleson, Darren Reynolds, Matt Foster and Teddy Grant contributed to this report.
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