On Wednesday morning, city officials gave an update on the investigation into the shooting at Central Visual and Performing Arts High School.
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Sack confirmed that there was only one shooter, who is now deceased. He quelled rumors that there may be a second shooter.
He also said that the suspect’s family has been fully cooperative with the investigation and is “heartbroken” for the families, school, and alumni. In interviews with investigators, the suspect’s mother said she and her adult daughter had been working with him on his mental health, trying to get him back on his medications or back into therapy when he started veering off path.
Sack said his impression of the suspect’s family is that “they’ve done everything they could have possibly done, but sometimes that’s not enough.”
Sack also thanked local businesses who helped out, like the Schnucks on Arsenal where students gathered after evacuating. Employees brought food and water out to people and first responders and helped navigate the buses that came to move students. He also thanked the Salvation Army for bringing food and water, and the nearby Interface Construction who provided tools to officers so they could break into doors to help people.
Jay Greenberg, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in St. Louis, spoke briefly to address the increase in hoax threats following the shooting. He said the hoax threats happen often after shootings, and have been a trend since Columbine in 1999. As a response, he said, students should expect to see an increased police presence in their schools.
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