St. Louis —St. Louis City Police say a woman and teenager are dead, and the suspect has been killed following a shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School in south St. Louis at Kingshighway and Arsenal Monday morning. Six others were injured in the shooting, according to St. Louis Public Schools.
Officials say the school doors were locked and are investigating how the 20-year-old suspect gained access. SLPS says the suspect was killed by an officer.
The shooting was reported just after 9 a.m., prompting hundreds of students to leave the building, many of them running. St. Louis Public Schools said on Twitter that the shooter was “quickly stopped” by police.
TV reports said officers entered the area with guns drawn shortly after 9 a.m. Crime tape was placed around the school and some parents arrived to pick up kids and check on their safety.
Other schools impacted
Around noon, SLPS released that all schools would remain on a “hard lockdown” for the remaining of the day. That means which means there will be limited movement in and outside the schools. At dismissal, all scheduled buses will leave at the appointed time.
The district is also asking any parents who want to come to school and pick up a student, please call the school in advance and let the office know when and who will be picking up the student. The student will be walked out to them.
Also, all after school classes and athletic activities are cancelled for this evening.
Gov. Mike Parson is aware and monitoring the situation.
Central Visual and Performing Arts High School is a magnet school specializing in visual art, musical art and performing art. The district website says the school’s “educational program is designed to create a nurturing environment where students receive a quality academic and artistic education that prepares them to compete successfully at the post-secondary level or perform competently in the world of work.”
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
