OXFORD TWP., Mich. (WWJ) --- Authorities say a lightweight polymer-frame semiautomatic handgun was used to kill three people and wound eight more in a mass shooting at a suburban high school, about an hour north of Detroit.
Updating details of the case at a late-night news conference Tuesday, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said deputies responding to 911 calls from Oxford High School, in Oxford Township, rushed into the building — toward the sound of gunfire.
An OCSO deputy who was stationed at the school, along with a second deputy, encountered the armed 15-year-old suspect in a hallway.
"The deputies removed from the suspect a 9mm SIG Sauer SP2022. It was loaded at the time, and still contained seven rounds of ammunition," the sheriff said.
"When they took it from him he had a loaded firearm and was coming down the hall," Bouchard added. "That, again, I believe interrupted what potentially could have been seven more victims."
Boushard said the suspect, who is an Oxford resident and a sophomore at the high school, put his hands up and was taken into custody without offering any resistance.
He did not speak.
As for where the teen got the firearm:
"A preliminary investigation revealed that the weapon used was purchased on November 26, four days ago, by the boy's father," the sheriff said.
"The gun had 15-round magazines; we found two of them. There allegedly was three that was purchased and he had. Our forensic lab is on
scene obviously processing a huge crime scene. More than likely that third magazine will be found there."
Bouchard said detectives believe at least 12 rounds were fired in the school — that number determined by casings found on the scene — but that part of the investigation is ongoing.
Bouchard said investigators believe the teen brought the gun into school in his backpack.
Early Tuesday afternoon, he came out of a bathroom with it and began shooting.
There are no metal detectors at the school, the sheriff said.
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Bouchard was asked about reports of social media posts that included images of the suspect holding a handgun.
"It is my understanding, again, that this was a recent weapon purchased, that he had been shooting with it and had posted pictures of a target and a weapon. That's all part of what's being looked at," the sheriff said.
Bouchard said law enforcement had no contact with or knowledge of the suspect prior to his arrest, and there had been no displinary action taken by the school against the student.
Amid reports that prior threats had been made by the shooter on social media, Bouchard said they're looking into that as part of the ongoing investigation.
It's not yet clear if specific students were targeted, or if they were shot at random. Also still unknown, the sheriff said, is a motive for the slayings.
The student and his parents have retained an attorney, and are not speaking to law enforcement at this point. The suspect's name has not yet been released, with homicide and other expected charges pending.
In total, three students were killed, and seven students and a teacher were wounded. Two of the wounded students were in critical condition Tuesday night.
Students anywhere in Michigan who have information about a potential threat can make confidential tips to state authorities through an app, text message, email or the OK2Say website. [Get details here]. Tips are screened by staff at the Michigan State Police and shared with schools and local police.
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