A 15-year-old boy who shot and killed two classmates and injured 13 at a California high school yesterday will be charged as an adult under state law, officials have said.
The suspect, who has not been named, was immediately taken into custody following the shooting at Santana High School, in a San Diego suburb. He will face charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon and various gun possession charges at his arraignment tomorrow, said San Diego County district attorney Mr Paul Pfingst. "God willing no one else will die," Mr Pfingst said.
Californians in November approved Proposition 21, which mandates that juveniles under 18 be tried as adults for serious crimes and serve longer sentences as befits those crimes. The proposition was created to deter gang-related violence.
Police Lieut Jerry Lewis said the suspect fired eight or nine shots out of a .22-calibre revolver, reloading at least once.
The boy, a student at the school, fired shots at 9.22 a.m. (1722 GMT). A sheriff's deputy arrived on the scene "within moments," said San Diego County Sheriff William Kolender. Sheriff's deputy Ali Perez, the first to arrive at the scene, said he and his partners entered a bathroom where the suspect was kneeling with the gun in his hands. He was apprehended and handcuffed.
Thirteen people, including staff and students, were hospitalised, said Mr Jeff Fehlberg of the Heartland Fire Department.
One student died on the scene, Mr Fehlberg said. The second died in hospital. A hospital spokesman said most of the injuries were not life-threatening.
In Washington, President George W. Bush said the incident was a "disgraceful act of cowardice".
"When America teaches her children right from wrong and teaches values that respect life in our country, our country will be better off," Mr Bush said. "But I do know that first things are first, and that is our prayers go with the families who lost a child today."
A nine-year-old boy has been arrested in Philadelphia for bringing a handgun to a Philadelphia elementary school, police said.
The boy was expected to be released to his parents after questioning by police and social workers. Police said he had showed an unloaded .9 mm pistol to classmates. He also allegedly had a clip of ammunition.