By Lily Altavena, Liz Shepard and Frank Witsil
Sources Detroit Free Press
DETROIT—A 15-year-old Oxford High School sophomore, armed with a semiautomatic handgun, is accused of a shooting at his school Tuesday afternoon, killing three students and injuring seven others and a teacher.
The events unfolded in about five minutes and police said the shooter, who was not injured, was arrested, turning himself over to officers.
Michael McCabe, the Oakland County undersheriff, said at a news conference it appeared the suspect worked alone, and investigators are interviewing students and scouring social media for clue to a motive.
It also was unclear whether he had targeted anyone.
Some students said the suspect was bullied.
Meanwhile, pastors and community leaders organized two prayer vigils for this evening.
As the nation's latest mass shooting draws national media attention, it puts questions of what to do about guns and renews political debates about gun control, violence and school safety.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, at the 5 p.m. news conference, called mass shootings a "uniquely America" problem that needs to be addressed. Later, responding to a reporter's question about how she felt, he nearly broke down.
Near tears, she added: "I think this is every parent's worst nightmare."
It's unclear whether there were warning signs. Police said they were unaware of them, but some parents and students said they had heard rumors before Tuesday that there would be an incident at the school.
Earlier this month, Oxford schools published a note to parents that it was aware that "numerous rumors" had "circulated throughout our building this is week," and the school was reviewing the concerns.
For most of the afternoon Tuesday, law enforcement surrounded the school, helicopters swirled over the snow-covered parking lots and worried parents took to social media to find out what was going on.
"My heart breaks for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Oxford High School," Whitmer said in a statement, calling gun violence a public health crisis and ordering flags to be lowered. "The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others, including a teacher, is horrific."
She added: "As Michiganders, we have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect each other from gun violence. No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home."
President Joe Biden was briefed by Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser, while traveling in Minnesota, and later said: "My heart goes out to the families that are enduring the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one."
Oxford High School students who were interviewed by reporters described a chaotic and confused scene in which a voice came on over the intercom to announce an active shooter.
At first, they said, they didn't know whether it was a drill.
But, when they realized it wasn't, they were struck by fear and panic.
They said teachers locked and barricaded doors, covered windows — and some students hid. Those with cell phones quietly texted to alert their parents and friends what was happening. Students were in tears.
Some students said they could hear loud bangs.
By early afternoon, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said it had taken the suspect — and the handgun — into custody. Officials said they were shocked and devastated and asked for prayers.
The suspect, police said, asked for an attorney.
Some parents later said even before the shooting rumors had been circulating that a school shooting was going to happen, and some students even said that they decided not to attend school on Tuesday.
Robin Redding, the parent of a 12th grader, told the Associated Press that there had been rumblings of trouble at the school.
“He was not in school today," she said of her son. "He just said that 'Ma I don’t feel comfortable. None of the kids that we go to school with are going today.' "
State Rep. Gary Howell, a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, tweeted that his son is a teacher at the high school. Howell said it was the "scare of his life" when he heard the news of the shooting.
"Thank God we have received word from John that he and his students are safe," he added in his tweet. "Please join us in praying for the other students and staff at Oxford."
A public school north of Detroit in northern Oakland County, Oxford High has about 1,800 students and draws from Oxford, Oxford Township and parts of Orion, Dryden, Metamora and Addison townships.
The initial 9-1-1 call about the shooting, authorities said, came in about 12:51 p.m., and was followed by many more. More than 100 police officers, including the FBI special agent in charge, and paramedics responded.
Ambulances took the victims to local hospitals. Police declined to say which ones.
Shortly before 1:45 p.m., a long line of students could be seen walking west on Ray Road to a nearby Meijer store. Police vehicles, fire trucks and ambulances surrounded the school, with officers in tactical gear went in and out of the school.
Abbey Hodder, a 15-year-old sophomore, was in chemistry class when she thought she heard glass breaking.
"My teacher kind of ran out and was scrambling," she said. "The next thing I knew I saw he was pushing tables. It's part of school protocol to barricade, so we all knew, barricade, barricade down. And we all started pushing tables."
They then lined up along a wall and grabbed something to throw, also part of the active shooter training they’ve done, Hodder said. But not long after, she added, her teacher told them to jump out a window and run.
Authorities said there didn't appear to be other threats, but were double and triple checking the school, where some students were reportedly hiding, according to parents who were in contact with them.
Students with transportation were allowed to leave.
Others were told to gather at the Meijer, which is within walking distance of the school.
Throughout metro Detroit, residents and public officials expressed condolences.
"We are deeply saddened by today’s tragic events in Oxford," the Detroit Tigers tweeted. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the entire community impacted by this tragedy."
Attorney General Dana Nessel, the state's top law enforcement said her department reached out to local law enforcement to offer assistance as this investigation unfolds.
“We must act to properly address gun violence in our schools and the ongoing threat of another unconscionable tragedy if we continue to only offer thoughts and prayers," she said. "Our kids deserve better."
U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain said she "can’t imagine the pain their families are going through."
"This is an incredibly sad day for Oxford and our entire state," she said. "I want to thank our first responders for their bravery during this tragedy and ask you all to keep Oxford in your prayers."
Others praised the first responders and level-headed teachers.
"In this moment of tragedy, there are heroes showing who they are," U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin tweeted. "Thank you to everyone who is stepping up to help in our community’s time of need."
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