Alleged Teen Gunman Sobbed In Call To Grandmother Before Hero Firefighter 'Took Him Down': Officials
A teenage gunman who cops say opened fire at an elementary school in South Carolina, wounding three, is believed to have called his own grandmother in tears before authorities arrived on Wednesday.
The unidentified 14-year-old boy is believed to have killed his own father at their home in Townville before heading to the elementary school, where he allegedly shot two students and a teacher.
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Before any further carnage could unfold, authorities say a veteran firefighter was able to stop the teen and become a hero to the rural southern town.
That firefighter, Jamie Brock, who's been with the Townville Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years, "just took him down" according to Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper.
"[He] wants to remain humble and quiet about it," Scott Stoller with Anderson County Emergency Management told the AP. "[He believes] he did nothing any of the other volunteer firefighters wouldn't have done."
Before Brock tackled the suspect, authorities say the teen called his grandmother on the phone.
Unable to understand what her sobbing grandson was talking about, the grandmother reportedly walked to her son's home, where she found him dead.
The teen's father has been identified as 47-year-old Jeffrey Osborne.
After allegedly killing his dad, the teenage suspect then went to the school and opened fire at about 1:45 p.m., authorities said.
The initial 911 call came from a teacher at Townville Elementary who said an armed male was on campus and had shot a student, according to Taylor Jones, emergency services director for Anderson County.
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A female teacher leading her students inside was shot in the shoulder, a boy was shot in the foot and another male student was shot in the leg, Sheriff’s Office Capt. Garland Major said at an evening press conference.
A Greenville hospital spokeswoman identified one of the wounded boys as Jacob Hall and said he remains in critical condition. His parents, Rodger and Renae Hall, thanked the community for its support, but asked in a statement for privacy.
Local media reports said the boy was 6, but authorities did not release the ages of the injured students. The teacher was not identified.
The shooter was taken into custody without incident and within a matter of minutes, officials said.
Local reports said the shooter was 14 and may be charged as juvenile.
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