{O/C} The United States was terrorised by yet another deadly school shooting today, this time in St. Louis where the gunman ranted chilling words.
Two people were killed, as was the gunman, and seven others injured.
{Take SOT}
It was just after 9 a.m. in the morning when the attack erupted on the third floor of the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis.
Students frantically jumped from windows, leapt from a rooftop and fled the school campus to safety.
Survivors recounted the perpetrator's final, blood-curdling words.
{Soundbite}
Student:
When the intruder broke into the room, then the intruder said, "Get ready to die."
{VO}
Students barricaded doors and huddled in classroom corners.
This terrified student described the horror of seeing the shooter face-to-face.
{Soundbite}
TANIYA GHOLSTON, Central Visual & Performing Arts High School Student:
I was trying to run, and I couldn't run.
Me and him made eye contact, and I'm glad I made it out because his gun got jammed.
{VO}
Police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Orlando Harris, who was reportedly armed with a long gun and had graduated from the school last year.
In a swift response, officers closed in on Harris and killed him -- in stark contrast to the sluggish police response to the Uvalde shooting.
{Soundbite}
MICHAEL SACK, St. Louis Police Commissioner:
Officers arrived within a couple of minutes of the call going out, and immediately made entry into the school.
As kids were fleeing out of the building they talked to some of the kids and told them that there was a shooter armed with a long gun.
{VO}
The seven injured students were immediately sent to hospitals, with all listed in stable condition.
Two people, including a teenage girl, were killed.
Mourning the aftermath more than anyone are the relatives of deceased teacher Jean Kuczka, who died defending her students.
{Upsound
A grieving St. Louis community gathered in a candlelight vigil in the victims' memory.
The senseless violence today prompted another dire plea from the White House for a ban on assault weapons.
{Soundbite}
KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, White House Press Secretary:
Every day that the Senate fails to send assault weapons ban to the President's desk is a day too late for our families and communities impacted by gun violence.
We need additional action to stop the scourge of gun violence.
Comments