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The Marshall County High School Shooting Updates Are Just Devastating

by Joseph D. Lyons
Stephen Lance Dennee/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Authorities have confirmed that Tuesday morning there was a shooting at Marshall County High School in Kentucky. Updates indicate that the shooting was fatal and absolutely tragic. Here's what we know.

The school is in Benton, Kentucky, about 120 miles northwest of Nashville. It is home to almost 1,400 students in grades nine through 12. Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin confirmed the shooting and wrote on Twitter:

Tragic shooting at Marshall County HS...Shooter is in custody, one confirmed fatality, multiple others wounded...Much yet unknown...Please do not speculate or spread hearsay...Let’s let the first responders do their job and be grateful that they are there to do it for us...

Kentucky State Police also confirmed that the shooter was apprehended. WPSD Local 6 News reported a heavy police presence at the school and that at least three victims had been taken to hospitals. Students who were not injured were taken to nearby North Marshall Middle School, where parents were asked to pick them up.

Kentucky Rep. James Comer tweeted out his prayers.

My thoughts & prayers go out to the students & faculty at Marshall County High School where there has been a tragic school shooting.

Here are more updates on what happened.

Injury Update

Hours after the attack, Gov. Bevin said that two people had been killed and 19 had been injured in the shooting.

The Suspect Is A Student

Bevin also confirmed that the suspect in the shooting is a 15-year-old male student who will be charged with murder.

The FBI Is On The Scene

Agents from Louisville are at the high school to assist local law enforcement and state police.

The Medevac Helicopter Pilot Was An Alum

A reporter monitoring the police radio heard the helicopter pilot acknowledge his familiarity with the high school football field.

"That's where I went to high school," the pilot reportedly said.

Murray State University Shares Its Condolences

The university is just a 30 minute drive from the high school.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's Tweet

McConnell tweeted about the shooting, noting his thoughts are with " the students, teachers, faculty, and the entire community." He also thanked first responders.

Gun Control Could Surface On The National Agenda Again

Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, pointed out that shootings like this happen about once a week.

Buses Left The School With A Police Escort

Students were brought to North Marshall Middle School.

Some Victims Were Sent To Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville received injured victims.

Parents Were In A Long Line To Get Their Kids

Local media reported that roads were backed up at the middle school.

See This Map To Better Understand Where The School Is

Marshall County High School is located in Benton, in the southwest of the state.

Photos From Above The School

WSMV, a station out of Nashville, took photos of the first responders from the air.

Kentucky State Senator Responds

State Sen. Danny Carroll is an alum of the high school.

Kentucky Treasurer Also Sending Prayers

Treasurer Allison Ball also asked Kentucky residents to "lift up students, faculty, staff, and first responders in prayer."