Three students have been shot near Brashear High School in Pittsburgh, in what local media are calling an “ambush,” reports CBS Pittsburgh. The school, which is the largest by enrollment in Pittsburgh with over 1,400 students, was once nicknamed “The Bullets.”
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Three Wounded Students Are in Stable Condition
Three people were shot outside the school at 2:50 p.m. All three victims were taken to hospital, one person was reported to have been in a more serious condition, at least one of the victims was shot in the head and another was shot in the neck. Reports indicate that one of the students was able to make it back into the school where he was found by a school employee who raised the alarm. One of the victims has been named as 17-year-old junior Eugene Minor:
It was Eugene that got shot hope he pulls through ❤️
— Deja (@DejaaMonet_) November 13, 2013
Police arrived on scene and initiated lockdown procedures, the lockdown included South Hills Middle School which shares a campus with Brashear High. Shotgun shells were found at the scene.
2. 3 Men Were Apprehended After an Extensive Search
(WPXI)
Pittsburgh police spokesperson, Diane Richard, told reporters during the first press conference that a nearby SWAT team operation may be relating to the shooting outside the school.
(WTAE)
Authorities were looking for gunmen in the nearby woods. There are possibly three shooters involved. Reports suggested that the gunmen involved emerged from the woods and opened fire, something that was not confirmed by Pittsburgh police. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that K-9 units are involved in the search.
SWAT teams surrounding a house nearby Brashear. #wpxi pic.twitter.com/lbYsRx5xGU
— Pamela Osborne WPXI (@PamelaOsborne) November 13, 2013
One of two males taken into custody by police here on Hampshire #wpxi pic.twitter.com/IunjaSAmim
— Pamela Osborne WPXI (@PamelaOsborne) November 13, 2013
The suspects were dressed all in black, reports The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
3. The Shooting May Be Related to a Previous Altercation at the School
On October 18, an incident in the school resulted in a massive lockdown. WPXI have said that the shooting may be “gang related.”
Police investigating whether #Brashear HS shooting a result of an incident Oct. 18; school was on lockdown for a week afterward. @KDKARadio
— Bill Rehkopf (@BillyRayKDKA) November 13, 2013
4. The Victims Are Not Talking to Police
Police also investigating reports that shooting was drug-related. Victims NOT talking to police. @JoeDeStio with more at 4:22 @KDKARadio.
— Bill Rehkopf (@BillyRayKDKA) November 13, 2013
Police spokesperson, Diane Richard, told reporters that the victims are not co-operating with the investigation. KDKA reports that all of the victims are friends with WPXI adding that the boys are all on the school’s basketball team.
@IannottiRalph reports mother of middle school child says there are metal detectors in the school
— KDKA Radio (@KDKARadio) November 13, 2013
5. In 1993, the School Changed its Nickname From the ‘Bullets’ to ‘Bulls’
Back in 1993, the school decided to change its nickname from the “Bullets” to the “Bulls,” due to “concern about drive-by shootings.” The school was forced to change its identity, bring in new uniforms and change their mascot.
On October 24, WPXI reported that member of staff at Brashear was under investigation, accused of stealing laptops.