What I know from the press conference, and from locals:
15 YO student was the shooter, used a handgun NOT a rifle. We do not know caliber used. Students who witnessed the event said on social media that it may have been large caliber given their descriptions of the shooting.
Kentucky State Police Lieutenant Michael Webb confirmed that a 15-year-old male student has been arrested, and police say he will be charged with murder and attempted murder. He is the only suspect in the attack.
Agents with the FBI and ATF are assisting KSP with the investigation.
Names of the victims and suspect are not being released at this time.
Bevin said he is grateful to first responders, and asked that everyone respect the families of the victims during this difficult time.
Rumor is that the student was a possible band member. Report given at the Presser are that the shooter walked into the commons area of the High School right before the morning bell and opened fire. 19 students injured - 14 with gunshot wounds, two fatalities: a 15 YO girl who was dead at the scene and a 15 YO boy who died at the hospital. The shooter was taken into custody without incident by a local county Sheriff's deputy arrived on scene. Speculation is that the shooter may have run out of ammo and went willingly into custody. No motive was reported but speculation is rampant from locals texting about the event that it might be a case of bullying including bullying on social media, but it is speculation only from kids texting about it that go to school there.
Suspect in custody will be charged with murder and attempted murder. Given the recent 20 year anniversary of the Heath High School shooting in nearby Paducah - this is opening an old wound for the community. The governor was very clear and precise to the media about giving the community it's space to cope and grieve. He told them point-blank there would be no questions taken, and that the info they were releasing was the ONLY info that was going to be released at this time due to a number of factors including the fact it was an open crime scene where information was still being gathered for the case.
Whatever the reasons 'why' this kid decided to go shoot up his school - I do think this is just another indictment of our culture's decline. It's another testament that societally, children are being raised without a foundation of morality, often by grandparents whose own children have issues; kids are immersed and plugged into in a violent entertainment culture; and possibly most pressing is that kids today cannot cope with any adversity, difficulties or lack of adulation and praise and/or cannot handle being told 'NO' or deal with any negativity (thus the term snowflake).
As our culture devolves, demons roam free in a nation that is morally adrift in a sea of relativism and backwardness. Consequences of a society no longer rooted in what we once were foundationally obedient to.
