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Student opens fire at Nevada middle school, killing teacher; shooter dead
By Erin McClam, Staff Writer

A student apparently opened fire at a Nevada middle school Monday, killing a teacher and wounding two boys, authorities said. The shooter was left dead.

A hospital said that the two boys arrived in critical condition. One was later upgraded to fair.

Kyle Nucum, a student, told the Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper that he heard “a pop, like a loud pop, and everybody was screaming.” He said the shooter was wearing a Sparks Middle School uniform, and shot the teacher after the teacher told him to put the gun down.

“The teacher fell and everybody ran away,” Nucum told the newspaper. “We ran across the field to get somewhere safe, and while we were running we heard about four or five more gunshots.”

Police said that the suspect had been “neutralized.” It was not clear whether he took his own life. Police promised more information at a 4 p.m. ET press conference.

The shooting happened just after 7 a.m., as buses were still dropping kids off.

Authorities said it was too early to tell whether the gunman was targeting anyone or simply on a spree. They suggested that the teacher tried to shield students from the gunman but stressed that they were still investigating.

“In my estimation, he is a hero,” said Tim Robinson, deputy chief of the Sparks police.

The two boys were being treated at Renown Regional Hospital, said Angela Rambo, a spokeswoman.

Police urged parents to stay away from the school. They told the parents to go to a nearby school to pick up their children. KRNV, the NBC affiliate in Reno, reported that the school had been cleared, citing officials on the scene.

Gov. Brian Sandoval said that he was receiving regular updates and was “deeply saddened” to learn of the shooting.

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