A student opened fire Tuesday at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky., killing two fellow students and injuring 18 others, officials said, in a shooting that caused panic and anguish in the school and across the community.

During an evening news conference, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Richard Sanders said the suspect, a 15-year-old boy, was in custody and would be charged with two counts of murder and several counts of attempted murder.

Authorities were seen escorting a handcuffed boy away from the scene earlier in the day. Details on a possible motive were unclear.

"He was apprehended by the sheriff's department here on site, at the school, thankfully before any more lives could be taken," Kentucky State Police Lt. Michael Webb said during an afternoon press conference.

Officials have not yet determined whether the suspect will be charged as a juvenile or adult, Sanders said.

The shooting unfolded around 8 a.m. after the teenager entered the school with a handgun, authorities said.

The injured people were all believed to be students, according to Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin.

The two people killed were a 15-year-old girl, Bailey Nicole Holt, and a 15-year-old boy, Preston Ryan Cope, Sanders said. Holt died at the scene while Cope died at the hospital. Fifteen people suffered from gunshot wounds, while others were injured trying to escape the scene, investigators said.

Bevin said the suspect was apprehended in a nonviolent manner. He said the incident was an ongoing investigation.

"This is a wound that is going to take a long time to heal," Bevin said.

The governor later added on Twitter that the community would "get through this dark day together."

Mitch Garland, whose son is a student there, told The Associated Press he saw 100 children running out of the school and seeking safety after the shots started to ring out.

"They was running and crying and screaming," he said. "They was just kids running down the highway. They were trying to get out of there."

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul tweeted his thoughts and prayers to the victims of the shooting.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic news out of Benton, KY this morning and closely monitoring the situation. We mourn the lost and are praying for those who were injured as well as their families, friends, and the heroic first responders."

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell also tweeted his thoughts to those impacted by the shooting.

“Closely tracking reports of the tragedy in Benton, Kentucky at Marshall County High School and my thoughts are with the students, teachers, faculty, and the entire community. Thank you to the first responders who continue to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others,” he tweeted.

Rep. James Comer, who represents Kentucky's 1st congressional district, tweeted the first official indication there had been an incident at the school: "My thoughts & prayers go out to the students & faculty at Marshall County High School where there has been a tragic school shooting."

State Rep. Will Coursey, who said he was an alum of the high school, tweeted his thoughts to those affected by the violence.

Lexie Waymon, 16, said she and a friend were talking about the next basketball game, makeup and eyelashes when gunshots pierced the air.

“I blacked out. I couldn’t move. I got up and I tried to run, but I fell. I heard someone hit the ground. It was so close to me,” Waymon said. “I just heard it and then I just, everything was black for a good minute. Like, I could not see anything. I just froze and did not know what to do. Then I got up and I ran.”

Waymon did not stop running, not even when she called her mom to tell her what happened. She made it to the McDonald’s, her chest hurting, struggling to breathe. “All I could keep thinking was, ‘I can’t believe this is happening. I cannot believe this is happening,’” she said.

It was chaotic outside the school as parents and students rushed around trying to find each other, said Dusty Kornbacher, who owns a nearby floral shop. “All the parking lots were full with parents and kids hugging each other and crying and nobody really knowing what was going on,” he said.

Barry Mann said his 14-year-old son was put on a bus and taken to another school to be picked up.

“He gave me a call as soon as he run out the door and I didn’t know what was happening to him,” he told the AP. “It sounded like his heart was in his throat.”

Garland said his son, a 16-year-old sophomore, jumped into someone’s car and sped away before joining others inside his business.

“Everyone is just scared. Just terrified for their kids,” Garland said. “We’re a small town and we know a lot of the kids.”



The community is about 120 miles northwest of Nashville, Tenn.

The shooting came one day after a student opened fire in Italy High School, about 45 miles south of Texas early Monday. A female student was recovering Tuesday after police said she was shot by a 16-year-old classmate in the school's cafeteria. The suspect has been taken into custody and charged with the shooting of the girl.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.</s>BENTON, Ky. (AP) - Authorities say seven people have been taken to hospitals following a fatal shooting at a Kentucky high school.

Darlene Lynn of Marshall County Emergency Management tells WDRB-TV that some of the wounded were flown by helicopter for medical treatment.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokeswoman Tavia Smith says two patients from the shooting were being taken to a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky has left one person dead and others wounded. A suspect has been taken into custody.

A business owner says he saw nearly 100 students running out of a Kentucky high school seeking safety from a deadly shooting.

Mitchell Garland says he rushed outside of his business near Marshall County High School when he heard about the shooting Tuesday morning. He says the students were running, crying and screaming.

Garland says his own son, a 16-year-old sophomore, jumped into someone's car and sped away, then made his way to his dad's office.

The area's congressman, Republican U.S. Rep. James Comer, is calling the shooting a "senseless and evil attack" that "horrifies us all."

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is calling the fatal shooting at a high school "a tremendous tragedy" and is calling for people to avoid speculating at this time.

The Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky has left one person dead and others wounded.

In a statement posted on his Twitter feed, Bevin says it's unbelievable that the shooting would happen in such a small, close-knit community like Marshall County.

Bevin said to not speculate but "come alongside each other in support and allow the facts to come out."

Kentucky State Police say the suspected shooter at a high school was apprehended by a Marshall County deputy.

The Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky has left one person dead and others wounded.

State police didn't provide any other immediate details about the shooter or the apprehension.

Meanwhile, a soccer coach at the school says all of her players are safe. Savana Smothers is the assistant girls' soccer coach for Marshall County High School. She told The Associated Press in a Facebook message: "You just never think this will happen in a small town like ours."

WPSD-TV reports the high school students are being bused to a middle school where parents can pick up them up.

Police say they've secured the Kentucky high school where one person was killed and several others wounded in a shooting there.

Kentucky State Police Detective Jody Cash says a suspect is in custody following the Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky.

Officials say the school is on lockdown.

The FBI says it's working with state and local law enforcement in responding to the shooting.

Authorities are reporting one person was killed and others were wounded Tuesday morning in a high school shooting in rural Kentucky.

In a tweet from a verified account, Gov. Matt Bevin said it happened at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky.

In the tweet, Bevin says a shooting suspect was in custody. No other details were immediately available.

The community is about 120 miles northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.</s>Kentucky State Police say the suspected shooter at a high school was apprehended by a Marshall County deputy.

 

The Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky has left one person dead and others wounded.

 

State police didn't provide any other immediate details about the shooter or the apprehension.

 

Meanwhile, a soccer coach at the school says all of her players are safe. Savana Smothers is the assistant girls' soccer coach for Marshall County High School. She told The Associated Press in a Facebook message: "You just never think this will happen in a small town like ours."

 

WPSD-TV reports the high school students are being bused to a middle school where parents can pick up them up.

 

___

 

9:25 a.m.

 

Police say they've secured the Kentucky high school where one person was killed and several others wounded in a shooting there.

 

Kentucky State Police Detective Jody Cash says a suspect is in custody following the Tuesday morning shooting at Marshall County High School in southwest Kentucky.

 

Officials say the school is on lockdown.

 

The FBI says it's working with state and local law enforcement in responding to the shooting.

Authorities are reporting one person was killed and many were wounded in a high school shooting in rural Kentucky.

 

Gov. Matt Bevin tweeted that it happened Tuesday morning at Marshall County High School.

 

A shooting suspect was reported in custody.

 

The community is about 120 miles northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.</s>A school shooting has been reported by local media and on social media at Marshall County High School in Kentucky.

According to the Marshall County Tribune-Courier, there have been several reports of shots fired at the school. However, no law enforcement, fire, or school agency is confirming the shooting.

FOX 17 News spoke with Kentucky State Police who confirm there was “an incident” which is no longer active. – READ MORE</s>The Latest on a fatal shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest on a shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest on a fatal shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest on a shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest: Bevin: It will take time to heal from shooting

The Latest: Bevin: It will take time to heal from shooting

Students inside Marshall County High School are speaking out after running for their lives after a gunman opens fire.

Students inside Marshall County High School are speaking out after running for their lives after a gunman opens fire.

Two people were killed in a shooting at Marshall County High School on Tuesday morning. (Source: WPSD)

Two people were killed in a shooting at Marshall County High School on Tuesday morning. (Source: WPSD)

Authorities are reporting one person was killed and others were wounded Tuesday in a high school shooting in rural Kentucky.

Authorities are reporting one person was killed and others were wounded Tuesday in a high school shooting in rural Kentucky.

Two students died in a school shooting at Marshall County High School in western Kentucky on Tuesday morning, January 23.

The victims were 15-year-old Preston Cope and 15-year-old Bailey Holt.

Holt died at the scene and Cope died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin said the shooter was also a 15-year-old male student, during a joint news conference with the Kentucky State Police. He said 16 others received gunshot wounds and four students received non-gunshot related injuries. The four students were injured while trying to escape the scene.

Special needs student Daniel Austin, 17, suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm, according to his mother. After the shooting, a teacher rushed him to the hospital.

Three students who were transported to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah have been released.

"This is a wound that is going to take a long time to heal, and for some in this community will never heal," Bevin said.

All Marshall County Schools have called off classes on Wednesday, January 24.

At 7:57 a.m., the gunman entered the school and began shooting with a handgun.

Police received the first 911 call at 7:59 a.m.

Less than 10 minutes after, first responders arrived on the scene.

The shooter will be charged with two counts of murder and several counts of attempted murder.

Kentucky State Police said the investigation was ongoing, but the suspect was taken into custody by Marshall County Sheriff Department at the school. Bevin said the suspect was detained in a non-violent manner.

The identities of the all the shooting victims and the suspected shooter have not been released by authorities.

A total of 20 people were affected by the shooting. Sixteen suffered from gunshot wounds. Fourteen of the victims were male and six were female.

There were five male patients taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. One being Preston Cope who later died at the hospital. Their ages ranged from 15 to 18-years-old. Three of the remaining male patients remain in critical condition and one is in stable condition.

A female patient was sent to Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 6:30 p.m. She is stable condition.

Three teenagers had gunshot wounds to the head, one to the arm, and another to the chest and stomach according to Oscar Guillamondegui, M.D., MPH, Medical Director of Trauma ICU. They were all listed in stable condition and expected to survive their injuries.

Students have been transported to North Marshall Middle School. Parents are being told to pick up their students there, according to a post on the school's Facebook page.

One student said they could never look at the school the same way again.

Parents of the victims have been notified.

People were asked not to call the school or Marshall County Dispatch.

Kentucky State Police said anyone with a vehicle parked on the high school's property will be allowed to pick up their vehicle at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. They could pick up their vehicle at the Highway 68 entrance. If the keys to their vehicle were inside the building, they had to bring a second set, as they were not allowed to enter any buildings on the campus.

Officials with the Kentucky State Police along with the FBI are handling the investigation. They were assisted by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department and the McCracken County Sheriff's Department.

The investigation will include looking into the teen’s home life, along with interviews with student witnesses and others in the are when it happened.

The entire school is being treated as a “dynamic crime scene.” The entrance is currently blocked off. Investigators expect their work will take several days.

KSP Critical Incident Response Team is still working the crime scene at this time and will be for several hours.

The Kentucky State Police Commissioner said the event struck the heart of Kentucky.

McCracken County officials have deputies at all area schools to help ease any fears according to Sheriff Jon Hayden.

Marshall County High School is home of the Marshals. It is an extremely tight-knit community.

High school football and basketball games are a community event. The stands are always full of parents, grandparents, former students and teachers.

A recent report on school performance reports 1,369 students are enrolled with a 94 percent graduation rate.

The Murray vs. Calloway County basketball game on Tuesday night was themed with Marshall County High School's school colors. Murray dressed in blue and Calloway County in orange as they united in this time of tragedy

A family resource center has been established for anyone who may need supplies. A counseling center will be set up at the Pepsi Bottling Building.

Several lawmakers and community officials have expressed their reactions following the tragedy.

Several churches and schools will hold prayer vigils and services to pray for the victims to cope with the tragedy. CLICK HERE for a list.</s>The Latest on a fatal shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest on a shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest on a fatal shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest on a shooting at a Kentucky high school (all times local):

The Latest: Bevin: It will take time to heal from shooting

The Latest: Bevin: It will take time to heal from shooting

Authorities are reporting one person was killed and others were wounded Tuesday in a high school shooting in rural Kentucky.

Authorities are reporting one person was killed and others were wounded Tuesday in a high school shooting in rural Kentucky.

Two students have died in a school shooting at Marshall County High School in western Kentucky on Tuesday morning.

The victims were a 15-year-old Preston Cope and 15-year-old Bailey Holt.

Holt died at the scene and Cope died later at the hospital.

Mobile users can CLICK HERE to watch the press conference.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin said shooter also was a 15-year-old male student, during a joint news conference with the Kentucky State Police. He said 14 others received gunshot wounds and 5 other students received non-gunshot related injuries.

17-year-old Daniel Austin was shot in the arm. After the shooting, a teacher rushed him to the hospital.

3 students who were transported to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah have been released.

"This is a wound that is going to take a long time to heal, and for some in this community will never heal," Bevin said.

All Marshall County Schools have called off classes on Wednesday, February 24.

At 7:57 a.m. the gunman entered the school.

Police received the first 911 call at 7:59 a.m.

Less than 10 minutes after, first responders arrived on the scene.

The female student died at the scene, while the male student died after being flown to a hospital. Bevin said at least five other victims had been flown to regional hospitals for treatment.

The shooter will be charged with murder and attempted murder.

Kentucky State Police said the investigation was ongoing, but the suspect has been taken into custody at the school and the scene was secure. Bevin said the suspect was detained in a non-violent manner.

The identities of the victims and the suspected shooter have not been released by authorities.

There were five male patients taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN. Their ages ranged from 15-18-years-old.

Three teenagers had gunshot wounds to the head, one to the arm, and another to the chest and stomach according to Oscar Guillamondegui, M.D., MPH, Medical Director of Trauma ICU . They were all listed in stable condition and expected to survive their injuries..

The doctor said one student did not survive.

Students have been transported to North Marshall Middle School. Parents are being told to pick up their students there, according to a post on the school's Facebook page.

One student said they could never look at the school the same way again.

Parents of the victims have been notified.

People were asked not to call the school or Marshall County Dispatch.

Kentucky State Police said anyone with a vehicle parked on the high school's property will be allowed to pick up their vehicle at 4 p.m. today. They can pick up their vehicle at the Highway 68 entrance. If the keys to your vehicle are inside the building, you must bring a second set, as you will not be allowed to enter any buildings on the campus.

Officials with the Kentucky State Police along with the FBI are handling the investigation. They were assisted by the Marshall County Sheriff's Department and the McCracken County Sheriff's Department.

The investigation will include looking into the teen’s home life, along with interviews with student witnesses and others in the are when it happened.

The entire school is being treated as a “dynamic crime scene”. The entrance is currently blocked off. Investigators expect their work will take several days.

The Kentucky State Police Commissioner said the event struck the heart of Kentucky.

McCracken County officials have deputies at all area schools to help ease any fears according to Sheriff Jon Hayden.

Marshall County High School is home of the Marshals. It is an extremely tight-knit community.

High school football and basketball games are a community event. The stands are always full of parents, grandparents, former students and teachers.

A recent report on school performance reports 1,369 students are enrolled with a 94% graduation rate.

The Murray vs. Calloway County basketball game tonight will be themed with Marshall County High School's school colors. Murray will dress in blue and Calloway County in orange as they unite in this time of tragedy.

Several churches and schools will hold prayer vigils and services to pray for the victims to cope with the tragedy. CLICK HERE for a list.

The Kentucky Education Association said leaders and staff are just learning the details.

KEA leaders and staff are just learning details of the unfolding tragedy in Marshall County. We know that this kind of senseless, preventable violence will have a profound and lasting impact on the entire community, as was the case in West Paducah and too many other communities where students, faculty and staff have been assaulted. KEA President Stephanie Winkler said, “We are saddened by the news from Marshall County. Our prayers and our thoughts are with everyone there who has been affected. Every student deserves a safe place to learn and employees deserve a safe place to work.” KEA and NEA will continue to reach out to members, friends and colleagues in the Marshall County Schools to offer help and support through the difficult weeks and months ahead.

Superintendent Joshua W. Stafford of Vienna High School released a statement about the situation just to the south of Vienna, Illinois.

"We are aware that there has been an active shooter event at Marshall County School which is about 45 minutes south of us. As confirmed via our local law enforcement the shooter has been apprehended. We are in constant contact with local authorities and, as already is a frequent practice, we will have uniformed officers on campus and around the school. Everyone's vigilance in safety matters is key. If you hear or see something never hesitate to say something. Preventing and or responding to these situations require you and the entire community to be active and engaged. We do appreciate the continued efforts of local law enforcement, school staff, the school safety team, the early intervention team, and the entire community for the numerous trainings, communication enhancements, and collaboration of resources that have have and continue to develop in our efforts to keep everyone safe and prepared. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know. Thank you." - Joshua W. Stafford, Superintendent

The Kentucky Department of Education is reaching out to Marshall County school officials with support.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tweeted that his thoughts are with all involved.

He also commented on the tragedy on the Senate floor.

“First, this morning began with reports of a tragedy at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky. State officials have reported at least one confirmed death and several injuries. My staff in western Kentucky is at the high school and is in close contact with local officials. They are monitoring the situation and will be providing me with updates throughout the day. “I know I speak for communities across my home state in sending prayers of comfort and healing to students, faculty, and everyone affected by this violence. Our hearts are with the entire community in Marshall County. And our gratitude is with the first responders who rush into harm’s way.”</s>There has been a tragic school shooting at Marshall County High School, located at 416 High School Road in Benton, Kentucky. According to the Associated Press, reports of at least one person who was killed in the high school shooting in rural Kentucky are emerging. As seen in the below tweet from the verified Twitter account of Governor Matt Bevin, the shooting at Marshall County High School on the morning of Tuesday, January 23, is being called a tragedy.

Governor Matt Bevin, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, urged the public not to speculate about the shooting, but confirmed that at least one person died in the school shooting. Bevin also noted that there is still a lot that is not known about the shooting, but confirmed that the Marshall County High School shooter is in fact in custody. On Instagram, the Marshall County High School geo-tag features reports from alleged students that call the attack planned.

As a result of the shooting, Marshall County is trending on Twitter, with the area located approximately 120 miles northwest of Nashville, Tennessee, at the center of plenty of prayers and tweets. The name Marshall County High School is also currently trending on Twitter, with thousands of tweets about the shooting incident pouring into Twitter.

As reported by CBS News, a minimum of five high school students were shot at the southwestern Kentucky high school on Tuesday morning.

Students at Marshall County High School also turned to social media to ask for prayers in the wake of injuries being reported at the high school as news of the shooting broke.

An advanced Twitter search for tweets about “shooter” near “Benton, Kentucky” within a 15-mile radius of tweets coming from that area are providing more information about Twitter users in the area. Those tweeting in the area using the word “shot” report that at least seven people were shot. Folks are also using the word “shooting” in their tweets in the area to publish their thoughts about the shooting.

According to the below tweet from an alleged student at Marshall County High School, the shooting occurred around 8 a.m. or earlier, with alleged reports that the school shooter shot 15 rounds into the school’s library. Previous tweets from the same account display Kentucky-related videos, as well as videos about student teachers and ones that appear to be taken within a high school classroom.</s>News 2 will livestream the news conference that is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. Click here to watch from the News 2 app.

BENTON, Ky. (WKRN) – Kentucky State Police will hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon, one day after two students were killed and 18 others were hurt in a high school shooting.

Police, alongside other authorities and officials, said they will provide an update on the ongoing investigation.

The gunman, a 15-year-old student who remains in custody, reportedly entered Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky, with a handgun at 7:57 a.m. Tuesday and began firing.

Two students, both 15, were killed. They have since been identified by police as Bailey Nicole Holt and Preston Ryan Cope.

“We have two 15-year-old high school students killed, just showing up for school,” said Lt. Michael Webb with Kentucky State Police.

Eighteen others were injured in the mass shooting. Of those, 16 suffered gunshot wounds, while four sustained injuries while trying to escape, although exact details on how they were hurt weren’t released.

“It’s a tragedy that everyone is going to remember,” Marshall County High School student Hannah Lyles said.

The suspect is being held at a secure juvenile facility and will appear in court on Thursday morning.

He’s charged with two counts of murder and 12 counts of first degree assault. His name has not been released by authorities.

“I think prayer is just what everyone needs, especially in times like this,” student Martaj Marks said.

Marshall County High School student Guy Howes added, “I know there are other schools out there wearing our school colors, just lifting us up in prayer and it’s just beautiful. It’s what we need. It’s everything that Western Kentucky is about.”

Benton, Kentucky, is located about 120 miles northwest of Nashville. Marshall County High School has around 1,300 students and 74 teachers.

Click here for complete coverage of the Marshall County High School shooting.</s>A school shooting at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky has left one dead and several injured, officials said.

Seven people were taken to hospitals, some by helicopter, Darlene Lynn of Marshall County Emergency Management told CNN.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin tweeted that there is one confirmed fatality.

The scene is secure and the suspect is in custody, according to the Kentucky State Police Facebook page. A Marshall County Deputy apprehended the suspected shooter, according to the state police Twitter account.

Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are at the scene to assist, the agency tweeted. So far, the motive for the shooting isn't known.

Marshall County High School is in Benton, Kentucky. All officers at the Benton Police Department office inside City Hall left to go to the scene, Benton City Clerk Beth Cooper said.

About 30,000 people live in Marshall County, about 115 miles northwest of Nashville. Benton is the county seat.

The violence came a day after a shooting at a high school in Texas.

A 15-year-old female student was shot Monday, Italy city officials said in a statement. She was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Dallas.

The suspect, a 16-year-old male, was "apprehended within minutes," the statement said.</s>BENTON, Ky. - One person is dead after a shooting at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky.

According to NBC affiliate WPSD in Kentucky, there's an active police scene. Gov. Matt Bevin confirmed that at least one person was killed and seven others were injured, WPSD reports.

The shooter is in custody, Kentucky State Police confirmed, and the scene is secure.

Nearly 100 children ran out of Marshall County High School seeking safety, said Mitchell Garland, who rushed outside of his business when he heard about the shooting.

"They was running and crying and screaming," he said. "They was just kids running down the highway. They were trying to get out of there."

Garland said he made sure the students were safe. He said his own son, a 16-year-old sophomore, jumped into someone's car and sped away, then made his way to his dad's office.

"Everyone is just scared. Just terrified for their kids," Garland said. "We're a small town and we know a lot of the kids."

Two of the victims were taken to Nashville, Tennessee's Vanderbilt University Medical Center, spokeswoman Tavia Smith said, about 120 miles (193 kilometers) away.

Savana Smothers, the school's assistant girls' soccer coach, scrambled to account for all of her players. All the girls were safe, she told The Associated Press in a Facebook message. She also said she was trying to get a head count for all the students who attend her church.

"You just never think this will happen in a small town like ours," she wrote.

Federal authorities joined state and local law enforcement in responding to the shooting. Gov. Matt Bevin ran out a side door at the Capitol in Frankfort, saying he was headed to the school as well.

"It is unbelievable that this would happen in a small, close-knit community like Marshall County. As there is still much unknown, I encourage people to love each other," Bevin said in a statement.

Marshall County High School is only about 30 minutes from Heath High School in Paducah, Kentucky, where a 1997 mass shooting killed three and injured five. Michael Carneal, then 14, opened fire about two years before the fatal attack at Columbine High School in Colorado, ushering in an area when mass school shootings have become much more common.

Meanwhile, in the small North Texas town of Italy, a 15-year-old girl was recovering Tuesday after police said she was shot by a 16-year-old classmate in her high school cafeteria on Monday, sending dozens of students scrambling for safety.

The scene of Tuesday's shooting was chaotic, with parents and students rushing around trying to find each other, said Dusty Kornbacher, who owns a nearby floral shop.

"All the parking lots were full with parents and kids hugging each other and crying and nobody really knowing what was going on," he said.

Barry Mann said his 14-year-old son was OK, but he had not seen him yet. He said his son was put on a bus and taken to another school for him to pick up.

Copyright 2018 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A school shooting at Marshall County High School in Draffenville, Kentucky kills two people and injures 19. The suspect is arrested.