Teacher, student wounded when another student opened fire at Noblesville middle school

NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- A teacher and female student were wounded when another student opened fire at Noblesville West Middle School early Friday morning. 

Law enforcement converged on the school around 9 a.m.  They discovered 7th grade teacher Jason Seaman and one of his students had been wounded.

By 11 a.m., police said the suspected shooter, a male student, had been taken into custody. Police later confirmed that the suspect, whose name is being withheld because he is a juvenile, was arrested in connection with the shooting. 

Seaman, 29, and the 13-year-old female student were both taken to the hospital in critical condition. 

MORE | FBI, ATF searching suspected shooter's home | Secondary threat made to Noblesville High School | Students, parents describe Noblesville shooting

Seaman underwent surgery at IU Methodist Hospital and was later upgraded to good condition.

The female student, whose name was not released, was taken to Riley Hospital and was still listed in critical condition Friday evening. 

A second student was being treated for an ankle fracture, according to Riverview Health.

There has been a shooting at Noblesville West Middle School w/ at least 1 injury. 1 patient came to Riverview Health and was transferred to Riley Hospital in stable condition.Another student is being treated for an ankle fracture. The parents of both students have been contacted.

— Riverview Health (@RiverviewHosp) May 25, 2018

Police say the shooter asked to be excused from the classroom, then returned with two handguns before opening fire.

A student who was in the classroom at the time of the incident said the shooter fired 4-6 shots, not at anybody in particular. 

MORE | Teacher shot 3 times, being called a hero | Lawmakers, officials react to Noblesville school shooting | How to talk to your kids about school shootings

"When he walked in, he had this weird look on his face," the student said. "He reached into his right pocket and pulled out a handheld gun. He took about 4-5 shots, not aimed at anyone specifically like he was waving his hand around."

New: Listen to interview from student in classroom at the time of shooting in Noblesville science class @rtv6 pic.twitter.com/ULhzNLPgQk

— Rafael Sánchez (@RafaelOnTV) May 25, 2018

The suspect was not injured when he was taken into custody.

A threat was made to Noblesville High School in addition to the shooting at the middle school. Students at the high school barricaded themselves in classrooms.

RELATED | Secondary threat made to Noblesville High School following active shooter at middle school

Listen to the initial police scanner audio below.

All students from the middle school were taken to the Noblesville High School where parents were allowed to pick them up after 11:30 a.m.

There are two victims en route to Methodist from the Noblesville West Middle School Active Shooter

Those families have been notified

Suspect in custody

All students are being taken to the Noblesville High School, parents are asked to pick up there#NoblesvilleWest

— Sgt. John Perrine (@ISPIndianapolis) May 25, 2018

Watch the full press conference from police below.

Noblesville West Middle school has 1,346 students.

Vice President and former Indiana Governor Mike Pence released the following statement about the shooting:

Karen and I are praying for the victims of the terrible shooting in Indiana. To everyone in the Noblesville community – you are on our hearts and in our prayers. Thanks for the swift response by Hoosier law enforcement and first responders.

— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) May 25, 2018

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick issued this statement:

“Today an unfortunate shooting at a school has occurred in Indiana. State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick is in contact with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and is actively monitoring the situation. We have confidence in Noblesville Schools Superintendent Dr. Beth Niedermeyer and her team, law enforcement, and first responders. The Department stands ready to provide guidance and support, and we will provide further statements as information unfolds.”

READ | All responses to Noblesville school shooting

McCormick also joined Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb at the Indianapolis International Airport after he returned from an overseas trip to address the media. 

Gov. Holcomb praised the way students, teachers and staff handled the situation at Noblesville West saying it was, "as close to textbook response as it could have been."

"Students, faculty and staff acted swiftly and appropriately and I'm sure because of that lives were saved," said Gov. Holcomb.

You can watch his full news conference below. 

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