Kentucky officials delivered a tragic update about the deadly school shooting that unfolded at Marshall County High School in Benton, Kentucky, revealing that two students were killed and that the 15-year-old suspect will be charged with murder.
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Gov. Matt Bevin delivered emotional remarks in which he said that the community’s reaction to the shooting provides an opportunity to show how people to handle these unimaginable scenarios, encouraging people to embrace love, respect and “sticking to the facts.”
“I’m just asking you — please have respect for these families and for this community,” he implored reporters, as authorities told the press that 14 people were shot and that two students — one male and one female — died.
Bevin also praised first responders for their swift action in apprehending the suspect and stopping the bloodshed, saying that these individuals “deserve extraordinary [praise] for their timeliness [and] professionalism at every turn.”
“[They] have ensured that this was not a more painful situation that it already is,” he said. “And I am grateful to those first responders.”
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Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rick Sanders said that the incident began at 7:57 a.m. when “a 15-year-old student armed with a handgun entered the high school and started shooting.” By 7:59 a.m., the first 911 call was placed and first responders were on the scene by 8:06 a.m. Sanders said students at the school did as they had been trained to do in the event of an emergency.
“There were a total of 14 shot, 1 female died at the scene, 1 male died at the hospital,” he said. “A tragic day for all of us.”
Authorities cautioned that the investigation is nowhere near over and that there are a plethora of witnesses that still need to be interviewed. Specifics were not offered during the press conference.
“The 15 year old is going to be charged with murder and attempted murder,” Sanders added.