Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin confirmed two people were killed and 17 others wounded Tuesday morning in a shooting before classes started Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky.
"At this time, there are 19 individuals who have - are being treated, or have been treated for injuries. Fourteen of those are gunshot wounds, five of those are non-gunshot related injuries. Of the 14 who have received gunshot wounds, two have passed away. One was a decedent at the scene. That student was a 15-year-old female," Bevin said during a press conference in Marshall County, pausing to catch his breath and hold back tears.
"A second student, also 15 years old, a male, passed away at the hospital. Students were taken to multiple hospitals, local and regional hospitals. Six of them were flown to the nearest Level 1 Trauma Center. One of the decedents, the male, passed away at that center," he added.
Bevin identified the shooter as a 15-year-old male who was a student at the high school. The unnamed suspect was apprehended in a nonviolent way at the scene and will face both murder and attempted murder charges, Bevin said.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rick Sanders told reporters Tuesday afternoon the incident began at 7:57 a.m. CST when the suspect entered the high school and immediately began shooting. Two minutes later, 911 said it received the first emergency phone call. Police arrived at 8:06 a.m.
Sanders said the Kentucky State Police had recently been in Western Kentucky teaching students how to respond if this type of incident occurred.
The FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives have offered Kentucky and local officials help in dealing with the investigation.
"Tragic shooting at Marshall County HS...Shooter is in custody, one confirmed fatality, multiple others wounded...Much yet unknown...Please do not speculate or spread hearsay...Let’s let the first responders do their job and be grateful that they are there to do it for us..." Bevin had tweeted earlier Tuesday morning.
Tragic shooting at Marshall County HS...Shooter is in custody, one confirmed fatality, multiple others wounded...Much yet unknown...Please do not speculate or spread hearsay...Let’s let the first responders do their job and be grateful that they are there to do it for us...— Governor Matt Bevin (@GovMattBevin) January 23, 2018
The school immediately went on lockdown until first responders arrived at the scene and were able to get the situation under control and tend to the injured.
Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., who represents Monroe County, also shared his condolences to those affected and concern over the incident.
My thoughts & prayers go out to the students & faculty at Marshall County High School where there has been a tragic school shooting.— James Comer (@KYComer) January 23, 2018
Benton is a town of 4,500 residents and is located approximately 200 miles southwest of Louisville, Ky., in the western portion of the Blue Grass State.