shot by that gunman. the condition of those students is unclear. it's also unclear if it's one gunman or two gunmen. we are told by the superintendent on the scene that one gunman is in custody. there are confirmations coming in to cnn that two gunmen were there, and are now in custody. so obviously, as the story unfolds, it continues to be a very complicated. but it looks like the school is now safe. middle schoolers and elementary schoolers have been removed from their buildings. the high school which was on lockdown is now being transferred. those students who are safe are being sent to the elementary school to be picked up by their parents. we have deb standing by. she's going to cover cnn newsroom this morning and obviously continuing coverage of this story. thanks so much, soledad. jo good morning, everyone. we'll continue to watch this as it unfolds. >> when at least one, possibly two gunmen began shooting. we can tell you that two, possibly three students were injured.

we can also tell you that the injured students were medevaced off campus and taken for treatment. we don't know what level of injury they have sustained. stephanie there is talking with authorities and gaining all of that information as she is doing just a terrific job bringing us up to date. stephanie, did you learn something new you want to share with us if you can hear us? >> reporter: yes, i do. i just spoke with the superintendent. he says he does believe that the shooter was in fact a student. they are now moving those high school students as we speak to maple elementary school, which is right across the way. sir, i see that you have your grandson here. thoughts? >> i'm just all mixed up right now. you would never think that chardon, something like that would happen. but then again, anything can happen anywhere. so i guess i'm just happy my little grandson is ok. >> i see that you're holding on to him very tightly. i'm sure there must be an enormous sense of relief. >> oh, yes. there is.

when i heard, i kind of -- my emotions got to me already at home when i heard about it. >> reporter: how did you first hear the news? >> my sister-in-law called me from bedford to tell me she heard on the news that there was a shooting at the high school. so i tried to get on the phone but the lines were busy. and i -- then they said something about don't come to the high school. and i said, well, you know, i -- >> reporter: and i have to ask you as a student, what are your thoughts on all of this? >> i just can't believe anything that's happening. why would this happen? i mean, your life is worth everything you have. >> reporter: i know this happened at the high school. but at the same time, there's still a sense of connection with students. were you -- what were your thoughts as you were hearing about this? any fear ever that something could happen at your own school? >> well, they said that the lockdown wasn't a drill. so i got worried thinking if something happened at the high school, could it happen at the

middle school? so i was worried that something could happen at the middle school with all of our lives. >> reporter: i'm so glad you were safely reunited. i'm sure there's a big sense of relief. thank you so much. thank you. and, again, chris and aaron, this seems to be the story of the morning really, just that enormous sense of relief. again, just the confusion, the fear that all of these parents are having. again, these are middle school students who are being released at this point in time. high school has just been -- the lockdown has just been lifted. those students will be sent to maple elementary school, where they will be reunited with their parents at that point in time. >> stephanie, again, we are kind of waiting on a news conference there. can you tell us if you see any sort of officials preparing to tell us what's going on? >> reporter: i'm sorry. i did not hear that, erin. can you repeat that please? >> well, we have heard from ellen andre, a district community director, trying to tell us what's going on, but we were told to stand by for a news

conference. can you tell if they are trying to set up any sort of a news conference to give these parents an update? >> reporter: well, at this point in time, as you can see, the parents now are leaving and really that seems to be the priority here right now, really is to reunite the parents with their children. and then get them out of here really. because as you can see, an incredible amount of parents, a lot of cars, and so they just want to slowly and steadily start reuniting parents with children. that does seem to be their priority. at this point in time, we do not have an eta in terms of a press conference. >> again, as we look at that imagery there that, is at the school administration building where students are being released five at a time because not only is this a situation where there was a gunman on the loose, and a number of students injured. the whole school day has been cancel for the district, which puts thousands of families' day in flux. if you have friends or family who live in chardon, whose kids are in the school district there, this is going to change

their day. we're going to let stephanie kind of go and work and report the scene as we continue to watch this imagery of parents clearly rattled. their kids weren't in that high school, but they are feeling the domino effects of what did happen in that high school earlier this morning. >> and what we're hoping went well, according to superintendent joebuergant -- o. this is new video of a s.w.a.t. team. s.w.a.t. teams do work with schools in conjunction with any kind of lockdown. this is protocol for when any school goes into a lockdown. we're told that everything went smoothly. as soon as they got word there was a gunman in the school, the school did go into lockdown. that is always practiced with the sheriff's department and with the s.w.a.t. team to make sure that students are in their classroom and safe >> right. this morning, when this first happened, around 7:30, 7:40, we

heard that young man say to stephanie with his granddad a little while ago, that there was probably a little bit of a hope that this was a drill. that this was not the real thing. >> right. >> and now as we see parents scurrying to get their kids home in their own arms, clearly not a drill. clearly a day that will be probably etched in those young minds for a long, long time. that day that february day when a number of our friends at the high school were injured. and as i walk off with my school parking lot, men dressed like that are walking past me. doesn't seem like something you'd see in the 21st century suburban rural ohio. >> certainly not in chardon. >> no. >> and while there is a lot of good news for families this morning, everyone who is being reunited right now with their children, sadly we do have reports that there were three or four students who were shot. they were medevaced out of the school, evacuated quickly from the school. but we do not know the extent of their injuries. so while we are looking at this and understanding that things

did go smoothly, sadly, the way that we understand it, there were two gunmen. and there were shootings inside the school. >> you know, we woke up this morning after a weekend of nice weather. everybody was not sure what the day was going to hold. this is never something that we foresee happening. it became a panic moment as you can understand, because 1,100 kids go to school at chardon high school every day. so there's 1,100 different stories of how this day unfolded. and for parents and guardians, you can see them right there. i mean, does that picture tell this whole story? that poor, poor little girl who has to walk out of school with her dad presumably in tears. because of what someone or two people decided to do this morning. >> well, and sadly, according to the superintendent, the way that we understand it, is that the shooters were students. we have not confirmed that yet. >> as we alluded to, the injured, the two or three or four, that number still fluid,

unclear, they were medevaced, life flighted out of the chardon area so they could be treated for their injuries. they landed at the walmart parking lot in nearby chardon there, and that is where channel 3's amanda baron is live for us this morning as we continue our live team coverage here. amanda, what do you know. >> >> reporter: i'm actually in the walmart staples parking lot, the home depot area, a place that's normally packed on the weekends. and it's very empty and slightly eerie because there were a host of medevac helicopters, police cars, and ambulances, of course, working on some of the people who were brought to the scene. this is kind of the staging area for all of those emergency crews. it's the least hectic area in town. i can certainly tell you that right now. as i was driving through town this morning, even some emergency vehicles from out of the area stopped me and asked me where the high school was. so it was really chaotic in town. up here on this hill in this plaza, though, things have calmed down. i can tell you that three

juveniles were medevaced to the hospital. and then another helicopter just took off for uh. so as soon as we know more, we'll certainly pass it along to you. and i'm with one of the students from the high school. his name is brandon. brandon didn't go to school today, but certainly i have been watching him. he is in this parking lot watching everything that's going on. brandon, i know you're worried about your friends. how are you doing right now? this has got to be very scary for you. >> i'm very nervous that everybody is ok. and i just hope they make it. >> reporter: when you think about the fact that you weren't in school today, what's going through your mind today? >> i think i'm very lucky, because i would have just been walking in the school. i'm sorry. i would have been walking into school when this happened. >> reporter: obviously, a tough morning for all of these students here. everyone kind of just watching and waiting to see, erin and chris, what is going to happen next and what they'll learn next. >> you said that when you arrived at the parking lot, that

the crews were working on the victims. did you see the victims? >> reporter: what it appeared, erin, there was somebody in an ambulance that was taken to that helicopter. so he was in that -- he was in that ambulance. and i think brandon just got word -- what did you just get word of? >> that my cousin is ok. >> reporter: well, that's good news. i think everyone is just watching and listening to hear who's ok and who's not. but just from very much being a witness up here, i saw them take someone from that ambulance and take them over to the helicopter that was labeled for uh. and then it took off from here. >> stephanie -- i'm sorry, amanda -- this is obviously a fluid situation here, but the numbers are very murky. we are hearing reports of two shooters and the superintendent alludes to one shooter. we have heard of one injured, two injured, three injured. can you clear up any of those numbers from what your reporting is telling you? >> reporter: if i'm being really honest with you right now, i'm

in such an isolated spot. so really it's emergency crews and media up here. and brandon, who i'm with right now, who is shaking his head right now. his dad is also. you can just hear that in their voice, they are so relieved to find out that brandon's cousin is ok. >> now, let's say if you wanted to go to the high school right now, how close could you get? >> reporter: you know, there are swarms of people. and i can't give you an exact number, but there are cars everywhere. there are sheriff's deputy cars as i caimcame in. in front of a church, there was a s.w.a.t. team all out in front. this was a community effort. and the parents who rushed to the scene, you could see the angst on all of their faces. >> we have some parents standing by. and thank you very much, amanda. at the walmart parking lot right now where those medevac

helicopters landed. three took off with juveniles. >> the parents are talking right now with stephanie, who is live with our live view technology. stephan stephanie, what does that gentleman have to say? >> reporter: this is willie ikely. he has a daughter, shea, in seventh grade. he just picked her up, but he also has another daughter, casey, who is still at the high school. willie, what can you tell us at this point? >> not very much. i mean, there was i guess a couple of shooters, we've heard, and they are both in the hands of the authorities. and just the school is doing a great job in getting everybody out of the middle school. that's what we just did. we are heading over to maple to get our daughter, casey, which is fine. and this stuff doesn't happen here in chardon normally. so everybody is a little upset. >> reporter: absolutely. when you first heard the news, how did you hear it? and what were your initial -- what was your initial reaction? >> we just got bombarded with emails and text messages and phone calls at home. and people heard it all the way from chicago actually.

and just raced up here, and trying to get our way through it. >> reporter: what grade is casey in? >> 10th grade. >> reporter: have you been communicating with her at all during this? >> she was able to send some text messages. it seemed like the texting was a little backed up. things weren't coming through as quickly as they were sent, but she told us she was fine right away. >> reporter: in terms of the procedure at the high school, metal detectors. we're hearing there isn't any. as a parent of a high schooler what, can you tell us about the terms of the safety procedures? >> to be honest, i can't speak to that. i feel like they do a great job. i don't know about the metal detectors. they were on the phone immediately this morning, sending out voicemails, recorded voicemails what to do, where to go. they have done a great job here at the middle school, and i assume they are doing the same over at the high school. >> reporter: i can only imagine a huge sense of relief at this point in time. >> absolutely. >> reporter: thank you so much for your time. go get your daughter. i know you'll be happy to be reunited.

so they are makinglementary. here where we are, people are still waiting to pick up their middle school students. >> at some point, stephanie, it's clear that the high schoolers will be bussed over to maple elementary, and the scene behind you will be duplicated again so that the high schoolers can be released to their parent. is that the sense you get? >> reporter: yes. and maple elementary is right across from the high school. so a short trip for the students. but again, as you can see, just so many parents here, that they really want to split everything up so there isn't a bottle neck situation. you can actually see there's a huge line of cars on the road already. so they just want to make everything as smooth as possible. emotions again running so high. and these are middle school students. but again, breaking down in tears. both children and the parents just incredibly relieved to be

reunited at this point in time. >> right. can you kind of give me an idea, stephanie -- the camera can only capture so much in any frame. how many people are there? give me a head count. are we talking hundreds, a thousand? let me know of that. >> reporter: yeah. i mean, you know, it seems like there are hundreds. the line has certainly grown in the last 40 minutes. snaking around this building. and there's also a long line of cars, of parents, waiting, waiting to stand in line. so at this point in time, i can tell you that with confidence that there are hundreds of parents here. >> all right, stephanie. thank you very much. that's the latest with the middle school students who were evacuated. but we do have more this morning. >> our team coverage continues. channel 3's eric mansfield is joining us now. he is at maple elementary school, where the high schooler will be released in a piecemeal fashion sort of like at the

other school. eric, what are you seeing where you're at? what can you report? >> reporter: i'm right on chardon road here, which leads right to the elementary school. i'm looking at the front of the school. there's not a parking space to be had. parents are backed up probably 1/3 of a mile to 1/2 a mile in each direction. some parents were parking and just running up to the school. others are trying to wait patiently. all of them appear to be on cell phones, trying to text their children. a few of them have just gone left of center. so it's still very emotional here because of course these are the high school students that were involved. we're still seeing multiple police vehicles with their lights on coming around the traffic, trying to get to the school. i have been monitoring the sheriff's office via an app on my smartphone all the way up here. and i think a lot of these other parents have as well, because from some i have talked to say they are aware of the suspect that's being processed at the sheriff's office right now. but their emotions are not going to be calm until they can reach their students. as i have listened to the

sheriff's office folks on the dispatch talking to one another, they have slowly cleared bits and pieces of the school and released students from different sections of the school to then be brought over here to the elementary school. but those students who drove to school, this is important, those who drove to school, are going to be allowed to drive their cars home from the school rather than be transported if they can get clarification that the parents have been notified. so still a very fluid situation over here at the elementary school. a lot of parents looking very worried trying to get there. >> eric, have you seen any students leave with their parents yet? >> reporter: none. you know, all the cars seem to be stuck going in. very few cars are coming out. but from listening to the dispatch, it's only been about 15 minutes since they have really given most of the all clear at the school for students to be brought over here. what the transportation is going to be to get them from the school to the elementary school for pickup i don't know. but i'm assuming this is part of their crisis communications plan.

i listened to the deputies talking about the school bus drivers and releasing them to begin this activity. but i'm unsure as to what state they are in right now. >> eric, as we are looking at live pictures from one of other schools in the areas, we are seeing s.w.a.t. teams kind of walking around even though this isn't the campus where we are going down. we want to recap what's going on for you there in chardon, ohio, which is about 30 miles east of cleveland. a s.w.a.t. team on scene at a local high school there. the school is in crisis mode in lockdown. 1,100 high school students believed to be in the building at the time when at least one shooter walked into the building and began opening fire. fear and panic gripping the high school as students tried to search for anywhere they could hide. we are told that as many as three or four students were shot. they were medevaced out of the area to a safe place so they could be brought to area hospitals. their condition not known at this time.

not clear whether even the families have been notified because this is happening so quickly. the shooter, the gunman, at least one if not two, walked into the school at about 7:30 this morning. we are told by the sheriff that at least one suspect believed to be a student was taken into custody at 9:00. but again, the s.w.a.t. team is on the scene. they are going to be going through the building, securing it to make sure that no one else is in there. and obviously, to evacuate whatever other students may be in that building. parents were notified we are being told by a phone alert system. that according to parents who raced to the school to try to get their children. children inside the buildings were texting, phoning, giving updates to not only their parents but also to certain officials. and, again, we don't know the situation of those students, the ones who were shot. but we are told that they were medevaced out, and at least one

suspect also believed to be a student is in custody. we will continue to follow this breaking story as it develops, and as we know more about the gunmen and about the condition of those students. stay tuned to new york 1. we will be right back with a lot more news. this is cnn newsroom. the secur. you never take an upgrade for granted. and you rent from national. because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. and go. you can even take a full-size or above. and still pay the mid-size price. i deserve this. [ male announcer ] you do, business pro. you do. go national. go like a pro.

right now we are going to be listening to the sheriff, who is updating us on the shooting that happened at chardon high school. >> right now, at this time, we're going to focus on getting parents with their students and we'll brief you again within probably the half hour. >> reporter: and how is the gunman apprehended? >> thank you. >> can you answer that? >> no, we can't. at this point, we are trying to put everything again. >> reporter: chris and erin, as you just heard, they have confirmed that one gunman was involved in this. four people were injured. they did not want to go into any detail as to how this all unfolded. how they apprehended the gunman or really even the extent of the injuries. but again, one gunman, four injured. >> stephanie, we caught it just a few seconds late. was there anything before we came to you that was said to

pass along to folks? we want the most up-to-date information here. >> reporter: absolutely. the first team that lieutenant hitchcock mentioned was that there was one gunman, which i then had him reiterate for our audience. but he was simply going through the procedures in terms of releasing the students at this point in time. the high school is no longer under lockdown. they are releasing the students, transferring them to the elementary school right across from them, maple elementary. that is where parents can pick up their high school students. and eric just mipgentioned, students who took their own cars can leave in their cars. >> scott wilson with the fbi, can we assume that the school district or the sthfr sheriff's office is working with federal authorities? >> reporter: yes, you can. he is with the fbi. they say they are going to continue to investigate. and, again, in that short press conference, they said their first priority really is to

question everyone who was at the scene, who saw something. they want to get as much information from eyewitnesss as possible. and that, they say, is their priority. along of course with reuniting the children with the parents. >> right. let me ask you, stephanie, the school administration building which is where you're at, that is where just to reiterate for folks where elementary and middle school students are being released to their families, five students at a time. eric mansfield really hit on a great point, which is you need accountability for all of these kids properly. that's an underscoring point. but another point i want to ask you about, and i think if they thought there was a second gunman, it would not be nearly as casual as they are treating it now. a number of reporters asked scott there, and lieutenant hitchcock, was there a second gunman, was there a second gunman. if there was a second gunman presumably on the loose, that would be the primary focus of

that press conference. is it safe to assume -- and it's dangerous to do that in these early hours, but that there was just one gunman? >> reporter: chris, we did ask him point blank whether there were one or two gunmen. he said one gunman. we also asked should students, should parents assume that everyone is safe? and they said yes. every student inside that high school is safe. they evare not at this point looking for anybody else. but again, they also have to be very careful with their words as well. but from their language, it does not seem that they are seeking to find anybody else. they said one gunman was in custody, and that is what they repeated to us time and time again. >> so these numbers are kind of firming up. what began as maybe one, maybe two gunmen, what began as two, maybe three, maybe four victims, that's now four. so the story is kind of solidifying. you're looking at a pretty staggering line.

stephanie, have you been there for a while. so that line is probably second nature to you at this point. but for those of us who haven't seen quite the depth of that line, that shows you how many parents of middle school and elementary -- these aren't even the parents ever the high school students. these are the secondary school, the elementary and middle school parents, waiting in a long queue there to try and get their kids, five at a time. >> while we look at that line, stephanie, why don't you quickly again just brief us on what parents need to do. we understand that identification might be required for any parent looking to sign out their children. >> reporter: yes. and, again, this is what we have been talking about all morning long, something that chris really pointed out. that security and safety of these children, so paramount, especially in circumstances like this. and because of that they are only allowing legal guardians -- >> ok. and you can see there the reporter on the scene. just to recap, one gunman, believed to be a student, is now in custody. as many as four students injured

during that early morning shooting. and you can see those frantic parents there just waiting for news on their children. news coming out in dribs and drabs as everyone tries to figure out what's going on. the s.w.a.t. team is on the scene there at the high school. we'll have lots more for you coming up in the half hour. this is cnn. carfirmation.

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and good morning, everyone. i'm debra ferrick in for kyra phillips. we are watching that school shooting in chardon, ohio. on the phone with us, we have a student who wasn't at school this morning and says he is lucky to be alive because he would likely have been near that gunman. and we're going to go to that in just a short time. but right now, we want to recap what is going on here. police are searching for at least two gunmen who walked into the building, to the high school there, at about 7:30 this morning. a s.w.a.t. team now on scene. they are searching the premises. the school continues to be in crisis mode and lockdown. parents racing to nearby buildings in order to get word from their children who are still in that school, though who

we are told may be being evacuated at this moment. one suspect, believed to be a student, was taken into custody about 9:00 this morning. now we are waiting to hear from several students who were there at the time. and i think -- do we have our student on the phone? we're going to listen to local coverage right now. let's take a listen. >> did that make it worse for you? i assume yes. >> you just have to remain calm. it was ok because i know that if our children were not safe or something had happened to them, those parents would be contacted first. >> reporter: now at this point in time, your son is waiting for you at maple elementary? >> that's what i understand, and we're going to go over there. i'm sure it's going to be a long line also. >> reporter: i have to say you are remarkably calm in terms of this situation. was there any time that you just -- or did you not just let your fear show? >> no. i mean, you know your child's ok. and you feel for all of the families out there. and just pray for them. and, yeah, we were very nervous. my husband is out of town. a lot of people have been

calling. but talking to other parents, it just helps calm you through the situation. >> reporter: well, thank you so much for talking with us. and i'm sure you can't wait to be reunited with your other son. >> thank you. >> reporter: all right. thank you so much. so again, really, we have been speaking with parents all morning long, but that really is the story of the evening. and it does seem like we're having more information possibly with lieutenant hitchcock. so we're going to make our way over there and see what they have to say. >> we'll walk with you there, stephanie, as you get in place. just trump over us when you get him talking. we'd also like folks on know there is a social media component to this. if folks want to weigh in -- well, let's listen to stephanie real quick. >> reporter: ok. now can you tell us if the gunman was a student there? >> i can't say that. i can't confirm that one way or the other. >> reporter: ok. and in terms of any new updates, i know that the lodow lockdown been released. students are now being reunited

with parents. >> that's correct. high school parents astudents ag their parents at maple elementary school. >> reporter: for the four students who were injured, have you notified their parents? are they at the hospitals with them? >> that i don't know. i know that everybody has been notified, correct. >> reporter: ok. at this point in time, the lockdown has been released. what is the next step for the high school? are police still there? are they searching the property? >> evidence is being collected, and statements are being taken from the individuals there on scene. >> reporter: ok. so is the high school empty? or is anyone still there? >> i know we have law enforcement in there. all of the students have been taken over to maple elementary. >> reporter: can you tell us how this -- the phone call first came in? how you first found out about it? >> at this time, we can't. that's all i can say at this time. >> reporter: thank you very much, lieutenant. ok. so a little bit more information there, chris and erin. again, police are really

tight-lipped in terms of the details. but we do know that now police are at the high school, collecting evidence, in addition to speaking with eyewitnesss. and, again, that is their priority along with reuniting the parents with those students. >> stephanie, you're doing a terrific job getting us up to the minute information. this is changing every minute, and you're doing a dynamite job. just a couple of questions. i have the luxury of being here to think about these things. but i wonder where the suspect has been taken, i wonder if they have security camera video, and if they can tell us if this kid has any record. but again, terrific job. and we're going to let you kind of work the scene a little bit more. anytime you have anything to report, just wave at us as we continue on looking at -- >> a s.w.a.t. team is onscene at that school which has been evacuated. officers questioning eyewitnesss there. the school now a crime scene as evidence is being gathered. we have a parent on the phone

with us. theresa hunt. your daughter is 18 years old, a senior at the school. what are heyou hearing about wh happened there this morning? >> well, she had phoned me -- well, she texted me i want to say it was around quarter to 8:00. she said we're on lockdown, mom. there's been a shooting. and i texted her back, what do you mean? what's going on? and she said, we heard shots down the hallway. they put us in lockdown, shut the doors. she didn't know much more at that point, but we kept texting back and forth, probably about 50 texts this morning. she knew it was a student that brought a gun to school. and five shots rang out. she knew four people had been injured. she didn't know how bad their injuries were at that time. i don't think she knows now either. just about 15 minutes ago, she called me to let me know that they are releasing her to the

elementary school, which is across the hallway, or across the street, excuse me, and i am to pick her up. i i can't even get out of my driveway. the traffic is bumper to bumper. >> ms. hunt, did she -- go ahead. >> i have to report to the sheriff when i get to the elementary school. they will not let me enter. i must give my name, show i.d., to pick up my daughter. and then they will go get her in the school. they are not letting anybody walk. this is a walking community here. they are not letting anybody leave on foot. not letting any student leave the building, which is awesome to hear. the school has done a really great job at their job. >> ms. hunt, let me ask you a question. do you know -- your daughter said she believed it was a student. did she give you any more information on why she believed that was the case? >> only because the other students said they -- someone had seen the kid bring the gun to school. now i don't know how true that

is. because of course i'm not there. and you know how kids talk. >> sure. >> amongst themselves. so i don't know how true any of that is. but i do know it was a student with a gun from the other phone calls i have received through other parents and whatnot. >> ok. the wounded. where was your daughter? and did she say where she believed the shots came from? what area of the building? >> she said they came from the cafeteria. they came down from that end of the building. she was down the same hallway but the cafeteria is at the other end. >> ok. and knowing what you know of the school, is the cafeteria at that time of the morning, is that where most students or many students congregate before heading off to their classes? do you know? >> yes. they serve breakfast in the mornings. and she said the shooting took place at about 7:30. i know the first bell rings at 7:18. so i know that lunchroom had to

have probably quite a few children in it. >> ok. do you know, ms. hunt, you said the school has reacted very well. has the school done drills? given some school shootings that have happened over the past couple of years, this is a school that was proactive in terms of instructing students what to do should it happen there? >> yes, yes. they had had drills. i believe they do two a year. from what my daughter has told me. i know previously a few years ago they had another incident. my son went to chardon also. he had a lockdown situation. there was a bomb threat called in. it was a false alarm. but they have been doing it ever since columbine happened. i know the school has been active of doing drills every year for every -- since my children have been going there. >> ok. your daughter, did she -- obviously, there were reports circulating in the school that a

student had brought a gun to school. just in a very vague sort of descriptive way, are there any details of who the student might be? was it somebody that seemed to have a falling out with the school? somebody who was doing badly in class? were there any sort of descriptions that your daughter was able to give you again understanding that she was in lockdown while the shooting occurred? >> i did ask her about the third or fourth text in. if she knew the -- if she had any indication that something was going to break out in the school this morning or, you know, rumor within the last week or so. and she said, no, mom. this was sudden. i hadn't heard nothing. and none of her friends had heard nothing either. >> ok. all right. she is -- where is your daughter? where do you believe your daughter is now? they were able to get out. is she over at the elementary school there, and has she been told whether she's going to be questioned by local officers there? >> no, she hasn't been told that yet. all she did was call me to tell me that i could come and get

her. i said it's going to be a while. the traffic is terrible. but nobody has talked to her yet at this point. >> did your daughter -- your daughter told you that she believed as many as five shots rang out. as many as four students may have been hit. did she describe seeing any ambulances or seeing any of the students being taken from the school and medevaced on those helicopters? >> no. she heard the commotion. she heard the police in the hallways. running. this morning. she didn't say if she seen them, but she heard them. and of course she was very, very scared. >> right. >> i know she heard lots of sirens. >> was she hiding? she was in her classroom, the classroom was on lockdown. did she tell you, were the students hiding? were they behind desks? were they in closets is ? trying to cluster away from the door? did she describe where she was in that class? >> she just said they were staying away from the door. i believe she was sitting on the floor with another friend.

i don't know if they were told to sit down there. i just know that's where she was. >> ok. and ms. hunt, obviously terrifying moments for your child. how is she? is she ok? she must have been just terrified. >> yes, she is. the last time i just talked to her, she was crying. she's trembling. she said her anxiety is way up. she is just waiting to see me. that's all we're waiting for, so we can hug each other and be together. >> all right. and also you have spoken to other parents. what information -- and again, obviously we know information is coming out sort of in pieces and being circulated. but what are some of the other parents telling you about what they're hearing and about how their children are doing? >> all the parents that i have talked to, all their kids are fine. some of the -- my next door neighbor, she has a daughter in the elementary school. so of course she didn't take to the elementary school.

but she was very concerned. we have all heard about the same thing. i don't know when we'll hear anything different. >> all right. ok. well, miss hunt, thank you so much. i know we had you on the phone earlier, and you dropped off to take a call from your daughter. obviously, getting as much information about the safety of these children paramount to everybody as the s.w.a.t. team on scene and officers questioning some of the students who may have been closest to the shooting, to find out what they heard, what they saw, and what they may know of the student apparently who was taken into custody about an hour and a half after that shooting started in a very busy part of the school, believed to be the cafeteria. theresa hunt, thank you so much. we'll check back with you in a little while. we really appreciate your time certainly at this difficult moment. thank you. we're going to be going to a break, and then we're going to be coming back here at cnn with lots more news. stay with us, studio 7.

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welcome back, everyone. a terrifying morning for students at chardon high school about 30 miles outside of cleveland. you're looking at live pictures there. parents waiting to find out

where their children are. many were already evacuated from the high school, and brought across the street to a local elementary school. fear and panic gripping that high school about 7:30 this morning when a gunman walked into the building. the gunman believed to be a high school student. and then opened fire in a crowded area of the school. a cafeteria we're being told that had many of the students there who were eating breakfast at the time. the student has been taken into custody. we are told that about three or four students were injured, though it's not clear exactly what the extent of their injuries are. they were medevaced away from that high school to a hospital where they are being treated. we are told that their parents are being notified. a lot of the folks this morning there were told that there was a crisis at the school immediately after and went into lockdown.

a phone alert system notifying parents that a situation was playing out there. and you can see those parents just trying to get to their children. many of those teenagers walked out of the building. and you can see they weren't wearing coats. they had very few belongings. clearly they simply evacuated with whatever it is they had with them. we're told that officers are on scene. it is now a crime scene as they gather evidence and try to talk to anybody who may have been near the shooting. and try to find out exactly as much as they can about that shooter who is believed to be a student. we're going to dip in for a couple of minutes into local news there on the scene to see exactly what they are learning, what they are uncovering. let's listen. >> or their condition at this hour. 12 minutes before 10:00. you are watching special live attempt coverage of a shooting at chardon high school. we're going to go now to channel 3's stephanie, who is back at the scene where parents are being reunited with their children. stephanie, what's the latest

there? >> reporter: well, the latest is that once police and fbi finish collecting evidence at the high school, we do know that they will return here to the board of education office. and there will be a press conference to answer some of those questions that we have been asking all morning long, that they haven't yet answered for us. so they said that is the point in time where they will be able to elaborate a little more as to what exactly unfolded, who possibly this gunman is, and who possibly these injured are. so again we are waiting. we are on standby for a press conference. the fbi, the police, the superintendent still at the high school collecting evidence. sorting information out. and, again, they will make their way here to the board of education center where they will hopefully illuminate us as to how this all unfolded. >> when we were with you earlier, we saw live video of the s.w.a.t. team arriving at the school administration building. can you tell me exactly what

kind of authorities have you seen there? what police, fbi? >> reporter: yes. basically, a special forces, fbi, police, everyone really working together. and i did ask them in terms of surveillance of surveillance camera. they said there is surveillance video from the school, from the time of this incident. they will not, however, be releasing that. obviously that is a crucial element of evidence. you can still see parents being reunited. children at elementary school. the high school no longer under lockdown. but emotions still running high. >> indeed they are. they probably will all day. is it remarkable how calm to you it is? it really seems like these people are put together. >> it really is.

one has to wonder if they're staying strong because the other alternative would be to fall apart. when parents were lining up before they were allowed to go in the building, there was a bit of a verbal scuffle where police said, look, you immediate to calm down. we are trying to do this as calmly as possible. emotions are running high. but everyone is cooperating. really seeming to work together. there is that one common goal. and that is to have the parents reunited with the children. this is where the high school students who were evacuated from the high school are waiting for it to be picked up by the parents. derek, what's going on there? >> well, you have pretty much people standing in line here. some students are still coming back from the school. some of them rightfully upset.

it's pretty traumatic for them. you the see the emotions on some of the faces. what you have here is teachers standing to the side. and the kids come from the schools are telling them to prepare your bags to be searched and stuff like that. i just saw an fbi person go in. she's going in now, i assume to assess the situation. as you see here. you have more students out of the building. >> derek, can you clarify something for me real quick. you said they're checking bags? who is checking the bags? are they checking the bags of students, and is it going into or out of the building? >> they are checking bags as they go, in as they bring students over here.

they have their book bags and stuff like that. >> they come through here. the deputies will stop them. >> we want to recap. we got off the phone with one of the parents a moment ago. she spoke to her daughter. she was texting her daughter in the school. according to her 18-year-old daughter, a student did enter the being today with a gun. she heard five shots that came from the area of the cafeteria, where students were having breakfast this morning. the 18-year-old believes four people, four students were shot. she says that the entire school went into immediate lockdown with teachers closing the doors and not letting anyone out. the injured were taken by a helicopter to a local hospital. all of the students now, we're told, have been evacuated.

some are sbg questioned by local police to find out how this all happened. there is surveillance video. clearly officers and fbi agents, anyone involved in investigating this will be taking a look at all of that to find out who this gunman is and why this happened. we'll bring you lots more. stay with us. i'm deborah feyerick, cnn, news room. look at all this stuff for coffee.

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we're going to take you to the scene of a school shooting where a student is being interviewed. let's take a listen. >> we want to give you an update coming into the channel 5 newsroom. classes are canceled for the day. as of 9:00 a.m. the alleged gunman is in custody at chardon high school. students are being moved by safety forces to another elementary. parents are waiting for their bus outside the school. some of the reports have the kids, something happening in the

lunchroom. >> yeah, it was in the cafeteria. >> and what would have been going on? is there breakfast. >> yeah. brek tags and study -- breakfast and study hall. >> you also said they were waiting for the bus. could you explain? >> yeah, the kids were auburn students. >> and what were they doing at chardon, high school? >> they wait every morning for the bus to pick them up. they go from here to auburn. >> i see. i see. okay. >> thank you so much. evan, if you get any more information, please call -- we are anyway going to listen to another affiliate. what we're also hearing is that some of the kids who were hit were auburn students. students waiting for the bus to take them to another school. we're going to check on that for you.

let's take a look at the scene. >> we know that a gunman was not in custody and on the loose, but knot the the school building. what they want to do is make sure that when the students are inside the building there's no way anybody is getting in or out because that's the safest place for them to be. >> so these training procedures. it's one thing where you hope you never have to implement it. on days like this, nick schuller, they certainly knew pieces and parts of how to keep themselves safe when something like this happens. >> pretty happen that she found you? >> yeah. >> tell me about the feeling when you first saw your mom? >> i don't know. i couldn't find her at first, so i walked out. i was trying to find her. >> you say you looked for your mom for a minute.

>> yeah. couldn't find her. >> and mom, what was it like when you saw your kid? >> really good. i'm so glad she's okay. thank you so much. >> that's channel 3 photographer talking with parents and students. and we're trying a best we can, while on one hand covering a breaking news story. we also want to execute a little discretion. not everyone want fos be on camera. as derek was talking with the family -- >> well, we've been following this breaking news out of chardon, ohio, which is about 30 miles east of cleveland. at least four students injured when a gunman walked into the high school there and began opening fire. we spoke to a woman whose daughter was inside the building. she was texting with her daughter throughout the morning. it happened at about 7:30 this morning. when a student walked into a building with a gun.

and it seems pretty clear by sochl some of the reports on the ground that it was known that a student was in the building with a gun. according to one of the students, it shot out in the cafeteria. this is where many teens are having breakfast and study hall before school started. the 18-year-old girl who was texting her mom believes that as many as four students were shot. they were medevacked out of the area. taken to a local hospital. not clear how badly they were injured. we're told some of the kids, listening to local affiliates. some of the kids shot may have been waiting for a bus that was going to take them to a different high school. we are checking on that now. the s.w.a.t. team did respond. they are on scene now. police officers, fbi also on the scene there, questioning many of the students and teachers and

authorities. it's now a crime scene as they try to piece together the events that took place within an hour and a half period. according to the sheriff, the gunman is -- has been taken into custody. he was taken into custody about 9:00 this morning sochlt it ended somewhat quickly, but the school did go into lockdown, complete crisis mode, as fearful parents were trading information, voice mail alerts were also given to the parents. let's take a listen to what one of those had to say. >> she texted me this morning. i want to say around a quarter to 8:00. she says, we're on lockdown mom. there's been a shooting. i text her back.

i said, what do you mean there's been a shooting? what's going on. she said, we heard shots down the hallway. they put us on lockdown, shut the doors. she didn't know much more about that point. we kept texting back and forth. probably 50 texts this morning. she knew it was a student that brought a gun to school. and five shots rang out. the knew people were injured. she didn't now how bad the injuries were at the time. i don't think she knows now either. about 15 minutes ago she called me to let me know that they are releasing her to the elementary school, which is across the street, and i'm to pick her up. i can't get out of my driveway. the traffic is bumper to bumper. >> miss hunt -- go ahead. >> caller: i have to report to the sheriff when i get to the elementary school. they will not let me enter.

i must get my name, show i.d., and gi my daughter. they're not letting anybody leave on foot. they're not letting any student leave the building, which is awesome to hear. the school has doechb a really great job. >> miss hunt, do you know -- your daughter said she believed it was a student. did she give you anymore information on why she believed that was the case? >> only because the other students said someone had seen the kids bring the gun to school. i don't know how true that is. i'm not there. and you know how kids talk amongst themselves. so i don't know how true any of that is. i do know it was a student with a gun through phone calls identify received. >> the wounded, where was your daughter? did she say where she believed

the shots came from? what area of the building? she said they came from the cafeteria. they came down from that end of the building. she was down the same hallway. but the cafeteria is at the other end. >> knowing what you know of the school, is the cafeteria at that time of the morning, is that where most students or many students congregate before heading to their classes, do you know? >> caller: yes. they serve breakfast in the morning. the first bell rings at 7:18. so i know the lunchroom had to have probably quite a few children in it. >> okay. do you know, miss hunt, you said the school reacted very well. given some school shootings that happeneded over the past few years, is this a school proactive in terms of instructing students what to do. should it happen there?

>> yes, i believe they do two a year, from what my daughter has told me. i know previously a few years ago they had another incident. my son went to chardon also. he had a lockdown situation. it was a bomb threat called in. it was a false alarm. but ever since columbine happened, the school has been active of doing drills every year since my children have been going there. obviously there were reported circulating in the school that a student brought a gun to school. u was it shall be who seemed to have a falling out with the school? somebody doing badly in class were there any descriptions that your daughter was able to give you, again, understanding that

she was in lockdown while the shooting occurred? >> i did ask her about the the third or fourth text if she had any indication that spg was going to break out in the school this morning or rumor? and she said no. this was sudden. i hadn't heard nothing. none of her friends had heard anything either. >> that's an interview we did earlier this morning with one of the moms who was in constant communication with her daughter, who was in lockdown with one of the classrooms. they believe this happened in the area of the cafeteria, which would have been a very busy place at that time of the morning with students not only having breakfast, but also study hall. we listened into another local affiliate. they believe some of the students who may have been shot were waiting for a bus to take them to a nearby vocational school. all of that very fluid as we try to piece together the investigation. we know the fbi is on scene. the sheriff's department is on

scene. local police officers as well. they're questioning anyone who may have been in the area to try to figure out exactly how this happen happen happened. you can see the students leaving the school. their parents picked them up. they left with what they had. many walking out without coats, without booking. they had to go across the street to an elementary school where sheriff had to talk to the parents before picking up the children. the children, you can imagine, terrifying moments inside the school building as they heard the shots ring out, and then try to make sense of the chaos. >> they were taken into or out of? >> two had taken stretchers out. they were taken into the elementary school. this may be precautionary from someone being overwhelmed by emotion. others who might be seeing this or hearing it, that's what i'm

seeing. i'm really struck by the schools that are out in the neighborhood. everybody goes to one high school. all the families know each other. i think what they'll get into reviewing the plan -- short of putting metal detectors in every door every day, how do you prepare for something like this? it's a dialogue that will be long term, i'm sure. >> that's a dialogue we like folk who is are watching us to weigh in in on it. is this one of the instances where you can't overreact because you don't put to put everybody in a military state, but might something if a mechanism were in place, might it have prevented a tragedy like this. let me ask you. we were asking people on the other site, does it strike you how calm the folks are? it seems to be very orderly. some people abandoned their cars on the side of the road in a hustle to get there. is it just a stunned shock?

subdued? >> for as many people as are here, it is extremely calm. and that's because so many people are being quiet. those who haven't gotten to their kids this are in a state of shock. very few are stopping to talk to the media. it's very calm for as much as has gone on here today. as they try to deal with this. they must have been, you know, preparing for this worst case scenario. how to block the traffic so that the police can get in and out of the building. how emergency vehicles can get out of here. that's something we have not seen play out in other school shootings. >> we want to let people know what they're looking at. this is live video of maple and chardon avenue. this is where the high school kids were evacuated too while

they wait to be reunited with their parents. the high school is at 151 chardon avenue. they were only really bussed across the street to be reunited with their parents. and you can see even some police there at the intersection. either helping parents or making sure they know what they need before they go into school. eric, as we understand it, they're making sure every child before they leave is accounted for. >> that's correct. i'll just step in right now. you're seeing the kids come out. they are checking them off. they can't account for everyone. we move out of the way for vehicles to get through. but this is the really hard part. people who didn't get to school need to notify the district they're home and safe and those that get picked off will be checked off one at a time. >> i've been talking with erin who was in the denver area when

columbine happened. we lost the feed there. but the similarities, still too early to know how this will play out. but the differences are striking, too. we did not have social media. >> or cell phones. >> for the most part when that happens. so it has changed size mikically. that was in 1999. >> yep. '99. so we're talking 13 years ago. so life has changed in america. some of the contact that they had today that probably made him feel better, the texts that she got from her son gives them peace of mind that maybe those at columbine didn't have. >> absolutely. one of this things we saw with the advent of cell phones, some schools want to control them. it was challenged in court to keep their cell phones.

including the school my children attend -- >> we are looking at live coverage there of the school that was evacuated in chardon, ohio. four people. four teenagers, four students were injured. one suspect in custody believed to be the gunman. also believed to be a student. later there on the scene. trying to piece together what happened. we don't know the extent of the injuries. we are staying on this story. we'll get to the latest with more news after the break. to pick up some accessories.ed a new belt. some nylons. and what girl wouldn't need new shoes? we talked about getting a diamond. but with all the thank you points i've been earning... ♪ ...i flew us to the rock i really had in mind. ♪ [ male announcer ] the citi thank you card. earn points you can use for travel on any airline, with no blackout dates.

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we have breaking news to bring you up to speed right now. the at least four people injured and one student apparently in custody after opening fire in a high school about 30 miles outside of cleveland. we spoke to a mother of one of the students in the building when the shooting occurred at 7:30 this morning. the mother telling us she was in constant contact with her daughter via text. but apparently students in the building knew that someone brought a gun to school this

morning. the teenager heard five shots for the cafeteria area. many students having breakfast, also study hall at that time of the morning. the teenager believes as many as four people were shot. we don't know the extent of the injuries. they were taken to a local hospital where they're being treated for their wounds. the school did go into immediate lockdown. fear and panic gripping many of those in the building who had no idea what was going on or who was shooting. we are told also some of the students who may have been shot were waiting for a bus to go to a nearby vocational school. police on the scene. questioning witnesses. also trying to piece together what happened, how it happened and why. right now we're going to turn and go overseas where there are troubling new developments in

afghanistan. the taliban is behind the latest retaliatory attacks for the latest muslim holy books. they carried out the deadly car bombing at a military airfield, and the taliban also claims to have poisoned food at a dining hall for u.s. troops. our nick pain walsh is in kabul. bring us up to speed on this. and barbara starr we're also going to be talking to. but first, nic, two high ranking officers assassinates in afghan security headquarters over the the weekend. then you have a bombing and nato base and poisingen of food at a u.s. base. and the taliban is taking credit for all of this. what is going on? bring us up to date. >> well, the first thing following a suicide bodily injurying used by nato and civilians, killing six civilians and three security guards.

the taliban leapt forward very quickly to claim responsibility and said it was in vengeance for the koran burning. we can't tell if it was a long attack. and as the violence picks up the coming month, they may suggest a lot of it is from the kor harks n burning. the presence that didn't really change their lives. on the issue of the poisoning news fist broke when the taliban said they were poisoning the food. that turned out to the be untrue. they came away. completely didn't say yes. there's been contamination of coffee and fruit. chlorine beach at a base near the pakistani border. they don't know how it got there. they're not sure if it was deliberate. but somehow the taliban appeared to have known about this and put

the statement out first. suggesting at the very least they have good intelligence about what's happening inside the bases. secondly, there's a large fear of trust. the issue with the poisoning. another man in afghan army uniform. all of this plays into the minds of american and nato soldiers here worming arm and arm with afghan soldiers. by instances like this make everybody very nervous and damage the trust that is so essential. >> and president karzai did have a news conference. but he did not address the killing inside the afghan security headquarters until he was asked about it. he didn't offer an apology.

simply offered condolences. >> that's obviously as much concern to him as the afghan president. there were some eyebrows raised about why there was a question for him to mention the american deaths. they have apologized to le leon panetta. certainly concern on the afghan side about the continuing. it points to a broader issue. many officials here and in washington are questioning how much of a part of this is karzai. ouch of the soldiers is the entire afghan government as they move into this very delicate, very costly, very decisive state of this costly war. >> especially since it appears they have infiltrated the afghan security forces. nick, thanks so much. we'll now go to barbara starr, who is at the the pentagon. what's so interesting is that the two officers who were killed inside security headquarters. they are effectively part of the team helping hand the baton over

to afghan security so that they can rule the country. but this seems to have basically undercut that. because now those advisers have been pulled out. they don't know who is who. >> that's right. top military official over the weekend pulling advisers out of all the militaries in kabul until he can be convinced that security has improved and it's safe to send them back. s that the latest in terms of what is a deteriorating relationship on key fronts. across the board, no. u.s. and afghan forces continue to operate side by side. the majority is going along as it does each and every day in afghanistan for many years. the question for u.s. officials

is this all going to gather steam? will it gather speed and velocity to where it does become damaged? where the trust can't be prepared? item number one is for the afghan government to show the u.s. that those ministries can be safe after the killing of the two americans and that advisers can go back in. it's their belief the karzai government has not done enough. >> barbara starr, thanks so much. in another note related to that, two top afghan officials were supposed to be in washington to ask washington not to cut off funding for security forces that trip was canceled. we're going back to a breaking story. this morning a shooting at an ohio high school. students now being interviewed by a local affiliate. let's take a listen. >> i was like, our door slammed

and we heard two gunshots. >> did you know who this was? did you know who they were going after? >> i have no idea. i don't know who the kid was. i heard stuff. i don't know what to believe. >> a lot of rumors. >> yeah. >> it was terrifying. i heard they locked everybody down. you're crouching in c ining in >> i've never seen anybody run that fast my life. and i run track. there was a stampede of kids sprinting by us. i heard a lot of people yelling. and then i heard the guns go off. >> we'll have the latest for you. it appears they knew the teens were in the school. a little bird told me about a band... ♪ an old man shared some fish stories... ♪ oooh, my turn. ♪ she was in paris, but we talked for hours... everyone else buzzed about the band.

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and we want to recap a school shooting for you in chardon, ohio, about 30 miles outside of cleveland. the suspect is in custody. believed to be a student who opened fire in the building at 7:30 this morning. it's believed to be a busy area where students are having breakfast and study hall as well. one heard five shots, believes

as many as four students were shot. they were taken by helicopter to a local hospital. not clear just yet. the students may have been waiting for a bus to take them to a vocational school when they were shot. according to one witness, teens were crouching in corners. all the sudden they heard a stampede of students who may have been trying to run from the calf fear ya before an additional shooting. let's take a listen to some of the witnesses. once i got up the hallway, i heard somebody yell get down. i heard a bunch of shots fired behind me. >> describe the scene. was it total chaos? >> yeah, it was a lot of running. a lot of screaming. i heard a bunch of shots fired. >> did you happen to see the guy with the gun? the shooter? >> no, i didn't look behind me. i just ran.

booked it down to hallway. a lot of students heard the gunshots. the school appears to have had practice drills. they had a plan in place right after columbine. teachers knew enough to lock the doors and keep the students in class during the shooting. police officer sheriffs on scene right now. we'll take a quick break and have more from you when we come back. ♪

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of the school building? were they spread out? >> primarily three locations. and we're holding that information until we get things -- as you initially pointed out there were reports of four victims. you have to understand that as things came in and began to unfold quite quickly, the number of students, the area na needs to be secured. it's sketchy in the beginning. >> do any of you three have an update on the conditions at this point? >> we don't have update information. >> we have a handgun involved. and we came down here. we knew you were waiting and looking for information. so mf o the questions you might ask, we're getting the information as we speak. and it's unfolding. >> how many shots fired. >> don't have that information. >> was the handgun on him or some place else? >> not commenting on that hat this point. they were all students. >> are they classified as

critical? >> we're waiting to update information as you are. they were flown to metro. >> you mentioned one of the teachers chased the shooter out of the building. could you elaborate more on that? >> that was the information that dispatch gave us. that the teacher had chased him outside the building. >> you don't have the teacher's name? >> i do not. possibly three boys. maybe four boys. one was a family. do we know what grade he was in? >> all right. and that's some preliminary people. they're from the sheriff department. they're going back to the

school. apparently the gunman who is a student was caught rung from the school immediately after the shooting. we now have an fbi agent on the phone with us. that's vicky anderson who is not on the scene. now what information are they telling you? >> we like to say we are not the primary in this investigation. a lot of the information that you just received is more up to date. as you well know, the sheriff's office is the primary there with chardon tv. from my understanding, ohio bci is also on scene and so is ohio state patrol. we were asked to assist as soon as this started occurring. and our agents responded immediately. we have -- i can't give you an

accurate number of how many agents are out there. making sure the building is clear and we have agents on scene, starting the preliminary investigation, again, to assist the locals as needed. >> and agent anderson. are they going to be looking at the forensic information? are they going to process all that of that? helping to map part of the investigation? >> i'm sure as needed we will be. this is most likely a local crime. so in a situation like this, we will be in a support function. so at this time i don't know if we will be processing the scene. or if it will be bci that will take the lead. >> and also you say the fbi s.w.a.t. team members did respond. did they go into the school

while on lockdown? >> that i probably can't answer accurately. i'm not on scene. but i know that our s.w.a.t. team members did respond. and i am aware that they are assisting in making sure the building is clear. of any other potential threats and make sure everyone is out of the building. >> okay. and anything else you can tell us about either the condition of some of those who were shot or the sheriff department, how they will be handling this. what to look forward to in terms of how this develops? >> from my understanding, the locals will determine at press conference this afternoon and let you know when the things are a little bit more revealed what we can stay. so that will probably occur later on this afternoon. we believe there were five

students who were injured. we're not sure the condition of the students at this time. as things unfold we can get that information out to you. >> special agent anderson bringing you up to date. the lead agencies. the lead investigators right now. right now we are going to -- we are going to take a break and have more for you on the other side. have to make safety features like active head restraints, brake assist, and an enhanced accident-response system standard in every chrysler 200. no one would know if we didn't. but we would have. and for us, the things you do when no one is looking are the things that define you. ♪

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bringing you the latest on the school shooting in chardon, ohio. we're told as many as five students may have been shot by a lone gunman. also a student who entered the building when many students were in the cafeteria. that's the area where the shooting is believed to have taken place. witnesses describe a stampede as people try to get away. as many as five shots rang out. as many as five students, we're being told, were hit.

they were taken by helicopter to local hospitals. three of them at metro hospital. two at hill crest. it appears that four of the victims are boys. one, a girl. we don't know just how badly the injuries are they they sustained. they may have been waiting for a bus to take them to vocational classes at a nearby school. now according to one mom who spoke to her daughter, there was a report that a student had walked into chardon high school carrying a gun. five shots did ring out in the area of the cafeteria. kids ran. there was chaos. the school went into immediate lockdown. they do have a plan in place. teachers shut the doors keeping students in the classroom. they were cowerring in corners. others not in class stampeding away from the area of the

shooter. frantic parents raced to the school to find out where their kids are. school has been suspended. they're at a local elementary right now. that's where the high school students are. they're being interviewed by sheriff deputies as well as local police officers there to find out exactly what happened and what is known of the shooter. we're also told that atf, they're also on the scene. the school did put a plan in place right after the columbine shooting so that they would know how to respond if this happens. it appears the planning did pay off. standby. we are now going to go to some of the witnesses who were there, very powerful statements about what happened there this morning. take a listen. >> our door slammed and we heard two gunshots go off. >> did you know who this was? did you know who they were going

after? >> i have no idea. i don't know who the kid was. i've heard stuff but i don't know what to believe. >> a lot of rumors. >> it had to be terrifying. they locked everybody down. you're crouching in corners. >> yeah, exactly. we were sitting in my room and a stampede of kids -- like i've never seen anybody run that fast in my life. and i run track. there was literally like a stampede of kids sprinted by us. and i heard a lot of people yelling, and we heard the guns go off. >> once i got in the hallway, i went up and aheard someone behind me yell "get down." and i heard shots fired behind me. >> describe the scene. was it total chaos? >> there was a lot of running. a lot of screaming. i heard a bunch of shots fired. >> did you happen to see the guy with the gun? the shooter? >> no, i booked it down the hall way. our deputies began immediately responding to scene. as soon as deputies and officers

from the police department were on scene, a prompt entry was made into the school. they went into the school. located victims. it became readily apparent that the shooter had fled already. the ems crews were brought in. as you can imagine. a perimeter was set up to ensure he did not come back into the school. some business from the school would have fled on foot. >> and a key piece of information coming from the sheriff. it appears that the gunman, a student emptied his weapon and then ran from the school. not sure if there are more bullets that he intended to use or what the motive is. you hear the students saying there are rumors on who it was.

but nobody knows what is truth and what is fiction in terms of who the gunman is and why he did what he did. the suspect did run from the building after discharging his weapon and was ap rep hended. he was caught about 9:00 this morning. he is now being questioned by police and sheriff deputies as well. you can take a look at the school there. it is being evacuated. studenting being rushed to their home. a lot of students raced to to building to find out what was going on as fear and panic gripped the families early this morning. everybody from the high school was transferred over to a school across the way. but again a lot of it developing. school has been canceled. the high school is a crime scene as fbi, atf, local police sheriffs try to recreate exactly how this shooting place played

out. five students, we're being told were injured. they were a helicopter to local hospitals. they are being treated for their rooms right now. families racing to be with them at this time. officers believe it was one gunman and one gunman only, and apparently it may have been a student. we're going to take a break right now. we'll have lots more when we come back. i'm deborah feyerick, this is cnn. t inspection. every time a vehicle comes into a ford dealership you'll be presented with one of these. we check the belts, hoses... brakes. tires and the pressures... battery, all your fluids... exhaust system, transmission... we inspect your air filter... it gets done,it gets done quickly and it gets done correctly. the works. oil change, tire rotation and more: $29.95 or less after rebate - at your ford dealer. you're a doctor... you're a car doctor. maybe a car doctor...

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to recap our story, fear and panic at an ohio high school this morning. parents and their children trying to come to terms with the shooting at 7:30. five students were injured. one gunman, also believed to be a student. he is in custody. local authorities on the scene processing what is now a crime scene. we want to check our other top stories in the news. first in afghanistan. taliban claims responsibility for the latest attacks against the u.s. burning of muslim holy books. a morning car bomb killed at least nine people. a taliban claiming it poisoned foot at one nato base. and in syria, the city remains

the center of the bloodshed. an opposition group says 22 people died there today. just minutes ago syria says nearly 90% of voters approved a new constitution, which could keep president al-assad in power but would be the first step to a potential reform. in new orleans a judge grants a week delay in the civil liability trial for the bp gulf oil spill. that suggests the parties may be closer to an out of court settlement. well, the gop presidential candidates are slamming president obama for his response to the koran burning in afghanistan and the ensuing anti-american violence. take a listen. >> i find it frankly infuriating that the commander in chief faced with a situation where an afghan soldier who had been paid

by us, equipped by us and trained by us kills two young americans and wounds four. and the president doesn't demand that karzai apologize? >> we have a president who is uniquely weak in the face of evil. we see it now in afghanistan. we've seen it in remarkable ways. >> this president has made it more difficult for the fighting men and women to be successful in our mission in afghanistan. >> well, our political director, mark proteeston joins us now. he's going to say i'm the one pulling him out. what the republican candidates are saying now, is it resonating? or saber rattling. >> what's interesting is the republican candidates have only been talking about the economy. that's the number one issue in the united states. arguably the number one issue around the world. the focus has been on the

economy. however, it seems they saw an opportunity to strike at the president. certainly with the deaths of the military advisers. the wounding of u.s. soldiers and the whole controversy around him, apologizing for the burning of the koran. >> and also what president karzai does, too. without an apology, the american administration will be a lot more resolute against giving anymore money because they don't know who to trust. we're looking at a showdown in arizona tomorrow. what do you think is going to happen? >> it's amazing how many eggs we put into the basket for tomorrow night's election. specifically in michigan. mitt romney has made michigan his home. that's where he was born. his father made his career there, was a governor. mitt romney grew up there. if mitt romney doesn't win michigan then the story line will be mitt romney will continue to drop, and rick santorum continues to rise.

however, if mitt romney is able to even win, even by the slightest of margins tomorrow, st whole narrative again will change. we were out last week for the presidential debate. that's arizona. there are 29 early votes on the table. that's winner take all. mitt romney has a pretty big lead in that state. >> i was reading something over the weekend. i think it was in the wall street jury that will by one writer who says the republican nominee will emerge so bloodied that the victory will be hardly worth having. it will be interesting to see what happens. mark preston, thank you so much. and romney has a couple of big endorsements in arizona. one from the governor, jan brewer. the other from the biggest newspaper. the arizona republic says there's eloquence in achievements and the task at hand is defined by republicans themselves. the real world achievements of mitt romney far surpass those of all the lifelong politicians against whom he is competing. phil is the editorial page editor at the arizona republic.

and you also wrote that romney wouldn't be a passion president. so is this an enthusiastic endorsement? >> it's very enthusiastic endorsement. we look at romney as one of the most accomplished people to ever run for president. i mean, you look at his lifetime achievements, he has done things. he has probably four of five signature achievements in his life that would be individually a crowning achievement for most of us in our lives. so he's done a lot of things. it's not just talking about it. he's gone and marshalled resources and made things happen and led. and we think that's significant. >> but, sir, do you think, obviously we're looking in two states. we're looking at michigan. we're looking at arizona. in michigan it appears mr. romney is having a difficult time connecting with the middle class. is that going to be the case in arizona? or do you see it as somewhat

different? >> arizona is a lot different. arizona is anti-climactic right now. romney has a big lead near the double digits in polls. and about 200,000 votes were banked in this election back when romney was enjoying big leads as well. there's probably more attention on michigan right now. >> yet, why do you think republicans are having so much trouble closing the deal? why do you think romney is having so much trouble closing the deal with the republicans he's trying to reach? is it because he's trying to reach so many diverse groups? >> no. we put our candidates through a national hazing. we beat them up a lot. and romney is in a bad position where he doesn't have the conservative press taking us

back and giving him cover. so he has the conservative press going after him. he has the national media, who is very tough on him. he has the democrats aiming at him. he has opponents going after him. so it's a lot of fire to take. >> well, phil bose, we really appreciate it. we're running out of time with breaking news now. we do thank you for your time. we want to tell our viewers out there that you should join us tomorrow night for america's choice 2012 we are going to follow the arizona and michigan primaries with a special edition of john king usa. that's at 6:00 eastern. and then complete live coverage of results starting at 7:00 eastern with wolf blitzer and, of course, the best political team on television. we are continuing to follow the school shooting near cleveland. we're going to have an update coming up. stay with us.

five ohio high school students are shot. a lone gunman in custody and a community reeling. listen. >>