Noblesville, In — A male student was taken into custody Friday morning after police say he opened fire inside an Indiana middle school, leaving a student and one teacher critically injured.
Officials say the incident occurred at Noblesville West Middle School at approximately 9:06 a.m.
Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital and their families notified. IU Health Methodist Hospital confirmed that they are treating the adult shooting victim and Riley Hospital for Children confirmed that they are treating the child for gunshot wounds.
Eighth-grader Chris Navarro told WSAZ that he was inside an auditorium when he heard the sound of approximately 16 gunshots about a minute before the bell rang for the change in classes.
“The speaker came on and said we were on lockdown and people rushed in and we went to the back of the room. I went into this little room in the back with three other people,” Navarro said.
Noblesville Police Department Chief Kevin Jowitt told reporters Friday that a male student was detained after a teacher on campus was able to knock the gun from the shooter’s hands. He was unharmed and taken into custody without further incident.
A number of agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have been brought in to assist in the shooting investigation.
Former governor of Indiana Vice President Mike Pence took to Twitter shortly after news broke of the shooting to offer words of encouragement and support to the Noblesville community.
“Karen and I are praying for the victims of the terrible shooting in Indiana. To everyone in the Noblesville community – you are on our hearts and in our prayers. Thanks for the swift response by Hoosier law enforcement and first responders,” Pence wrote.
The shooter’s age and identity have not yet been released. It remains unclear what motivated the student to open fire.
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