Two children and a teacher were shot by a gunman at an elementary school in Townville, SC, a spokesman for Anderson County Emergency Management told reporters Wednesday afternoon.
The suspected shooter, a teenager, is in custody, said deputy chief Taylor Jones, CNN reports.
In a news release, Oconee County sheriff's deputies confirmed that they and Anderson County deputies responded to Townville Elementary School after getting a report of a shooter on campus, reports WSOC-TV. Around 1:45 p.m., authorities were told an active shooter situation was underway at the elementary school. Nearby schools were put into lockdown as deputies and a SWAT team responded.
The first emergency responder on scene "subdued" the shooter, a chaplain for the local fire department told The Greenville News. It has now been clarified that he was an off-duty volunteer fire fighter.
A coroner told The Greenville News that a man who may have had involvement in the incident is dead near the school. Authorities have not elaborated on the person's possible connection to the shooting.
Few details are available on the shooting victims, although WSPA reported both children are 6 years old. One child is in surgery and is in critical condition, the news station reported.