KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — An armed student was killed after shooting at a police officer inside a bathroom at Austin-East High School in Knoxville Monday.
Police say one person is dead, another person is detained and a wounded police officer is expected to be OK.
A spokesperson described the incident as an ”officer-involved shooting.”
According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation: Preliminary information indicates that at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Knoxville Police Department received a report of an individual possibly armed with a gun at Austin-East Magnet High School. Upon arrival, officers located the individual inside a school restroom. They ordered him out, but he refused to comply. As officers entered the restroom, the subject reportedly fired shots, striking an officer. One officer returned fire. The subject was pronounced dead at the scene and has since been identified as a student. The officer who was shot was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing, as TBI Agents continue to gather any and all relevant evidence, interviews, and information. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the District Attorney General for her further review and consideration.
Director Rausch: "We have to be careful with our language… This wasn't a school shooting. This was an officer-involved shooting inside a school."
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) April 13, 2021
Officials did not identify the student of share his age.
The scene at 2800 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue remains active and dozens of first responders are in the area.
Multiple agencies are on the scene of a shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School. Multiple gunshot victims reported, including a KPD officer. The investigation remains active at this time. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/ViQirnQSpx
— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) April 12, 2021
The school was placed on hard lockdown and residents were asked to avoid the area. A school spokesperson told Breaking911 that the building has since been cleared.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has been briefed on the incident. The ATF is also responding.
A reunification site has been established at the baseball field behind the school.
.@ATFNashville Special Agents are responding to a shooting incident at Austin-East High School in Knoxville, TN to assist our law enforcement partners. Please direct all inquiries to @Knoxville_PD pic.twitter.com/hV1ngIxBLy
— ATF Nashville (@ATFNashville) April 12, 2021
As details continue to emerge, our thoughts are with Austin East Magnet High School and those school community members who have been affected by the shooting that took place this afternoon. The department stands ready to support.
— TN Dept of Education (@TNedu) April 12, 2021
MEDIA: TBI agents are responding to a shooting incident in the area of Austin-East High School in Knoxville. PIO @TBILeslie is en route. Additional information will be provided when possible.
Follow this thread for updates. pic.twitter.com/XAFswmayLj
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) April 12, 2021
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