Police said one person was killed and one police officer was wounded in a shooting at a high school in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday.
The Knoxville Police Department said one male was pronounced dead at the scene, while another was detained for further investigation.
A police officer was struck at least one time and transported to the hospital with injuries that are not expected to be life threatening, the department said in a press release, adding that there were no other known gunshot victims.
– Officer Involved Shooting at Austin East High School – @TBInvestigation will be the lead investigating agency and provide further information as it becomes available. pic.twitter.com/Hjetzf1vNT
— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) April 12, 2021
Police said multiple law enforcement agencies responded to an officer-involved shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School at around 3:15 p.m.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will lead the investigation, as is protocol for officer-involved shootings, the Knoxville Police Department said.
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Earlier, Gov. Bill Lee said he had been briefed on the incident as he took the podium during an education announcement.
“I want to acknowledge a very difficult and tragic situation we have happening across the state right now in Knoxville,” he said. “Austin-East Magnet High School — there is apparently a school shooting there. I’ve just been informed about that, just recently. We don’t have a lot of details. It’s a current situation right now, and law enforcement will update us appropriately.”
A reunification site has been established at the baseball field behind Austin-East High School near Wilson and S. Hembree. https://t.co/zmQGzwb6cO
— Knoxville Police TN (@Knoxville_PD) April 12, 2021
Knox County School Superintendent Bob Thomas said the area has been “secured” and that students were returned to their families.
“Knox County Schools is responding to a shooting that occurred this afternoon at Austin-East Magnet High School,” he tweeted. “We are gathering information about this tragic situation and will provide additional information as soon as possible.”
He continued: “The school building has been secured and students who were not involved in the incident have been released to their families.”
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The Knoxville Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
This is a developing story, and it will be updated.
