Two 6-year-old boys and a teacher have been shot by a gunman Wednesday at an elementary school in Townville, S.C.
One of the boys has undergone surgery after being airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Greenville and was reported in critical condition Wednesday. The teacher and the other boy were treated at a local hospital and released, authorities say.
WYFF-TV reports that the school shooting happened shortly after 1 p.m. at Townville Elementary School, which is part of Anderson School District 4.
The suspected shooter, a 14-year-old boy, is in custody, authorities say. Before the attack at the school, the teenager allegedly shot his father to death at their home, which is about three miles from the school, The Greenville News reports.
Police say the teen drove a truck to the school, rammed it into a fence surrounding the playground, stepped out and opened fire as students were having recess.
A bullet struck student Jacob Hall in the leg and a second boy was shot in the foot. First-grade teacher Meghan Hollingsworth was shot in the shoulder. Jacob was listed in critical condition at a Greenville hospital. Hollingsworth and the other shooting victim, whose identity was not disclosed, were treated for their wounds and released.
Authorities have not released the identity of the alleged shooter, but say that his father, Jeffrey D. Osborne, 47, was found shot to death Wednesday afternoon. Investigators were trying to determine a motive for that shooting and the subsequent school attack. They do not believe the teen had any connection to the school or the shooting victims there.
Following the shooting, students were evacuated from the school and taken to a nearby church, where they parents picked them up.
