Terrified students are speaking out after coming face to face with a gunman who killed two at a Missouri high school.
On Monday morning, at around 9 am, a 19-year-old armed man eluded seven guards and made his way into the Central Visual and Performing Arts High School before killing one student and one teacher.
The authorities have since confirmed that a 15-year-old girl named Alex and 61-year-old health teacher Jean Kirk Kuczka were the two victims who succumbed to their gunshot wounds. An additional seven people or more were injured and their current condition remains unknown
While the gunman was shot dead at the scene by St. Louis police, it currently remains unclear how he managed to enter the school.
In pictures from outside the school, terrified students and parents were seen breaking into tears and embracing their loved ones.
Some also recalled the heartbreaking moment they thought they were going to die.
“They were banging on Mr Williams’ room door. They shot like four times,” one student said. “He said: ‘All of y’all are going to die.’”
Another student claimed the shooter told them that he was “tired of everybody.”
One victim, 16-year-old Taniya Gholston, said that she was in the dance room when she came face to face with the killer.
“All I heard was two shots, I was trying to run and I couldn’t run. And me and him…” she explained.
“I’m glad I made it out because his gun got jammed. I think somebody got shot. We saw blood on the floor.”
As of this writing, it remains unclear how the suspect managed to evade seven guards who maintained that the doors to the school were locked.
It has come to light, however, that the guards saw the gunman trying to get in. Instead of intervening, they allegedly reported the incident to school officials who called the police. Sadly, the police did not arrive in time to stop the shooter from getting inside the school and killing two people.
“This is a day of tragedy. I’m stressed and I’m heartbroken, I’m heartbroken for these families. Our children shouldn’t have to experience this,” Mayor Tishuara Jones expressed after the shooting.
“They shouldn’t have to go through active shooter drills in case something happens and unfortunately that happened today.”
Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families during this tragic time.
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