PV Desk : At least eight people died when a gunman opened fire inside a school in Texas, according to local authorities.
Police were called to Santa Fe High School just before 8am (2pm BST) after receiving reports of an “active shooter”.
Texas TV channel KHOU and the Houston Chronicle said police officials confirmed multiple victims following the shooting at the school about 30 miles south east of Houston.
The sheriff’s office for nearby Harris County said its deputies were assisting with a “multiple-casualty incident.”
“This is no longer an active shooting situation and the injured are being treated,” the sheriff’s department said on Twitter.
The school district in Santa Fe, said the situation was “active, but has been contained.”
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote of the shooting on Twitter: “Early reports not looking good. God bless all!”
The school district authority confirmed that the school had been placed on lockdown while officers investigated, with pupils led out onto the grass and searched for weapons.
One student told Houston television station KTRK that a gunman came into her first-period art class and started shooting.
She said she saw a girl with blood on her leg as the class evacuated the room.
Santa Fe school district said on Facebook: “This morning an incident occurred at the high school involving an active shooter.”
“The district has initiated a lockdown at the high school. We will send out additional information as soon as it is available.”
A suspect was later taken into custody, according to the school’s assistant principal Chris Richardson.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the number of injuries.
Another student, Leila Butler, told ABC that fire alarms went off at about 7.45am and students left their classrooms.
She said some students believe they heard shots fired, and that she was sheltering with other students and teachers near campus.
Neighbouring Dickinson district said it had also placed its schools on “protect mode” following the reports.
“Doors are locked & personnel are stationed at outer doors to let people in and out. No students allowed outside of building.”
Santa Fe High School, located about 30 miles from Houston, has more than 1,400 students in grades 9-12.
