A student opened fire at a Nevada middle school Monday morning, killing a teacher and wounding two students. The suspected shooter is also dead.
The shooting occured at Sparks Middle School, located outside of Reno, just after 7 a.m. local time before the start of the school day, state officials said during an afternoon press conference. The teacher, identified as math teacher and Michael Landsberry, was shot while trying to protect students, they said. NBC affiliate KRNV reports that Landsberry was also a member of the Nevada Air National Guard.
The two minors were brought to Renown Regional Medical Center in critical condition. One was later upgraded to fair.
Police also confirmed that the shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A motive is not yet known.
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval expressed his concern and sadness over the “horrific shooting” in a statement released after the shooting, adding that his administration was receiving regular updates.
Senator Harry Reid of Nevada said in a statement, “No words of condolence could possibly ease the pain, but I hope it is some small comfort that Nevada mourns with them.”
Reid tried to usher in stricter gun control guidelines through Congress earlier this year after a mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school, but the efforts were stalled.
Traci Lee