An elementary school in rural northern California was placed on lockdown today after several people were shot at or near the school, leaving three people dead, officials said.
One father, Coy Ferreira, told ABC Redding, California, affiliate KRCR-TV he was dropping his daughter off for kindergarten at the Rancho Tehama School, an elementary school in Corning, about 130 miles north of Sacramento, when he heard what sounded like a firecracker.
A school employee ran out and yelled for the children to get inside the classrooms because someone was shooting at the school, Ferreira said.
That’s when he ran into a classroom and multiple shots came through the classroom windows, hitting one student, he said. Another student in a neighboring room was also shot, Ferreira added.
Ann Bates, administrative assistant to the superintendent of the Corning Union Elementary School District, said injuries, but no deaths, were reported at the school.
But police said today’s incident spanned other shooting scenes near the school involving multiple victims, and that three deaths, including the shooter, stemmed from the shootings. Additional details about the shooting scenes were not immediately available.
Police said a number of students were taken to the hospital.
Enloe Hospital has received four patients: three students and one adult, all in unknown conditions, a hospital official said. Mercy Dignity Health is treating 3 patients.
About 100 students attend the school, which is on lockdown, Bates, the administrative assistant, said.
This story is developing. Please check back for more updates.
