Knoxville Police on the scene of a shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School
(Knoxville Police Department)
Multiple gunshot victims have been reported at a Tennessee high school shooting, including a police officer on the scene.
Knoxville Police Department announced the shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School on Monday afternoon.
While residents were warned to avoid the area of active investigation, two anonymous sources told Knox News the situation was no longer “active,” though a police tweet appears to contradict that claim, saying the situation remains active.
Multiple agencies responded to the shooting and have blocked access to parts of the neighbourhood, while school spokeswoman Carly Harrington told the outlet the school was in lockdown.
Law enforcement officials said multiple agencies were on sight to respond to the situation, and advised people to avoid the area.
Police have established a reunification site at a baseball field behind the school.
Thus far there have been 130 mass shootings since the start of 2021, more than during the same period in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Police officer shot has “non-life-threatening injuries”
Local Knoxville broadcaster WBIR 10 reported that the police officer wounded in the Austin-East High School mass shooting suffered “non-life-threatening injuries.” A source speaking with another local news outlet, Knox News, said the officer who was shot was a school resource officer.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 22:17
Video shows handcuffed individual being led away from Knoxville high school
A video appears to show an individual in handcuffs being led away from Austin-East Magnet High School in handcuffs in the wake of a mass shooting that left multiple people injured.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 22:08
Local media reports shooting suspect has been detained
A local news outlet in Knoxville, Tennessee has reported that an individual has been detained as a suspect in the shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School that left multiple people wounded.
Knox News reported that a source speaking to them on the condition of anonymity said police have detained a suspect.
The source also claimed the officer who had been shot was the school’s resource officer.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 22:02
Knoxville Sheriff says “no active threat” at site of school shooting
The Knoxville County Sheriff’s Department issued a statement to local broadcaster WBLT saying there was “no active threat” at Austin-East Magnet High School following a mass shooting that left multiple people wounded, including a Knoxville Police Department officer.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 21:57
Tennessee Governor comments on shooting
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee acknowledged the shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School in a statement, calling it a “very difficult and tragic situation.”
He made the comments as he began a briefing on education, and asked for prayers for the victims and their families.
On Thursday, Mr Lee signed a bill allowing gun owners over the age of 21 to carry firearms, open or concealed, without the need for a permit or training.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 21:50
Students have been released to their families
Knoxville School Superintendent Bob Thomas said students who were not involved in the shooting at Austin-East Magnet High School have been released to their families.
He said the school officials were working to get information to families as quickly as possible.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 21:44
Police establish reunification site behind school
Police in Knoxville issued a tweet saying they have established a reunification site at a baseball field behind Austin-East Magnet High School in the wake of a shooting that left multiple people, including a police officer, injured.
Police said in the tweet that the situation was still active, contradicting earlier information claiming that she situation was no longer active.
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 21:39
Welcome to the live blog
Welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of a mass shooting at a high school in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Multiple gunshot victims have been reported at Austin-East Magnet High School, including a police officer responding to the scene.
Law enforcement says the situation is no longer considered “active.”
Graig Graziosi12 April 2021 21:27
