A sixth-grader has allegedly shot three people at her middle school.
According to the Associated Press, police were called to Rigby Middle School in Idaho at approximately 9:15AM on Thursday, May 6, after the young girl (who has not yet been publically identified) reportedly pulled a loaded handgun from her school bag and opened fire.
The student is said to have shot a janitor and two of her classmates. A brave female teacher was able to disarm and subdue her until multiple law enforcement agencies arrived at the scene.
Police evacuated the middle school students to a nearby high school, where they were reunited with their families, after taking the sixth-grader into custody.
Although nobody was killed in the incident, the Associated Press reports that the two injured students have been hospitalized at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, and that one may require surgery.
Take a look at this news report on the incident in the video below:Commenting on the incident in a later press conference, Jefferson County Sheriff Steve Anderson stated:
"This is a very difficult and trying time for our community.
"We've had amazing support from partners across the state that have arrived to not only assist in the investigation but give us support with what we need."
Anderson added that his department is investigating with assistance from state police, the Bonneville Sheriff's Office, the FBI, Idaho Falls Police Department, Rigby Police Department, Rexburg Police Department, and Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Watch Sheriff Anderson's speech here:Meanwhile, per KIFI News, Jefferson School District Superintendent Chad Martin stated: "This is the worst nightmare a school district could ever face."
"We prepare for it, but we are never truly ready for it. Our hearts and our prayers go out to the victims and their families and all those involved. We want to especially thank our community."
Martin added: "The vast support we have received is overwhelming, and we are grateful to live in a community that cares about their students, schools and [is] willing to offer that support."
Martin added that schools across the district would be closed as a result of the shooting, to give students time to be with their families.
Counselors will be available to traumatized students as of Friday, May 7, and the curriculum will resume on Monday, May 10.
