2 Shot By Student At Gardena High School
GARDENA (AP) — A Gardena High School student is in custody after a gun reportedly discharged in his backpack and injured two people.
Doctors say a 15-year-old boy is in fair condition after being shot in the neck and a female student suffered a skull fracture, bruising to the brain and a significant blood clot.
Neurosurgeon Dr. James Ausman says the 15-year-old girl was unconscious when she arrived at Los Angeles County Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Tuesday and went into surgery within 30 minutes to remove the clot.
She is in critical condition and remains sedated. Her family is by her side.
Deputy Police Chief Patrick Gannon says both victims were hit by one bullet that was fired when a gun in a backpack apparently went off by accident.
The 17-year-old student who brought the gun said he was sorry after it went off. He's being interrogated by police.
The school was placed on lockdown, while police initially searched for the gun owner who reportedly fled to another classroom, according to Gardena police Lt. Steve Prendergast.
The incident, which was reported through a 911 call by a teacher, occurred around 10:40 a.m. at the school at 1301 W. 182nd St., according to Prendergast.
Officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, Gardena Police and Los Angeles Unified School District police responded to the school.
The High School has at least 2,600 students.
Parents can call 310-354-3400 for information regarding their children.
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