News

South Carolina Elementary School Shooting

by Elizabeth Strassner

Update: On the afternoon of Sept. 28, a shooting at Townville Elementary School in South Carolina left two 6-year-old boys and a first-grade teacher injured, Anderson County's Capt. Garland Major confirmed. Less than an hour after the attack, a 14-year-old boy was taken into custody. Later that day, the suspect's grandparents found his father, Jeffrey Dewitt Osborne, shot to death in his home about 3 miles away from the school, according to Anderson County Coroner Greg Shore. The investigation of Osborne's death is ongoing.

Earlier: A teenage suspect was taken into custody Wednesday after a shooting at Townville Elementary School in Townville, South Carolina, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office reports.

Two children were reportedly shot, according to CNN, as well as a female teacher. The teacher and one student, reportedly a six-year-old boy, have been taken to AnMed Medical Center, while another student, who is reportedly also a six-year-old, was taken to the pediatric center at Greenville Health System via helicopter, where they are apparently undergoing surgery.

A spokesman for AnMed Medical Center told NBC affiliate WYFF that both patients at AnMed are in good condition. The child at Greenville Health System is reportedly in critical condition. The identities of the injured have not been confirmed.

WYFF also reports that the Anderson County Sheriff's Office is also currently dealing with a death on nearby Osborne Road that officials have said is connected with the incident at the school. CBS affiliate WSPA reports that the Osborne Road victim is a man in his 40s.

The shooting was reported after 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and armed officers were reportedly on the scene before 2 p.m. Townville Elementary School has reportedly been closed and evacuated, and students were transported by bus to nearby Oak Dale Baptist Church.

Congressman Jeff Duncan, who represents the South Carolina district which includes Townville, tweeted on Wednesday in response to the shooting, as did South Carolina senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott:

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is expected to attend a press conference that will take place at about 5 p.m. EST Wednesday.

Townville is roughly 40 miles southwest of Greenville, South Carolina. Townville Elementary has about 280 students.