12-Year Old Shoots Classmate In School

According to the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, the accused, also 12, was arrested and charged with murder and other firearm counts in the shooting at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville.

The sheriff's office said that no further injuries were reported as a result of the incident.

Officials at the sheriff’s office say a school resource officer phoned for emergency backup at 12:30 p.m. Thursday after hearing gunshots at the school. Authorities later discovered that a student had shot another and that the two were familiar with each other.

According to authorities, the suspect fled the school after the shooting and was discovered hiding under a deck at a nearby home by deputies. During the arrest, they also found the weapon.

"My heart breaks for this young boy's family, and my prayers are with them tonight," sheriff Hobart Lewis said

"Additionally, I will be praying for the other young boy who pulled the trigger and his family. I cannot fathom what would cause someone to do this to another human being and especially at that age, but I know it's a situation where we all need to turn to God."

The sheriffs say that the motive for the shooting and how the suspect obtained the pistol are still under investigation. The Greenville County Coroner's Office stated that more information regarding the victim will be released on Friday.

In addition to the murder charge, the suspect is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under 18, possession of a firearm during a violent crime, and possession of a firearm on school property.

The suspect will be taken to a juvenile detention facility in Columbia, South Carolina.

The sheriff advised parents to communicate with their children and engage with them to guarantee their own and others' safety.

"Check their belongings and ensure they don't have anything that could endanger themselves or anyone else. It truly takes a village, and we need everyone's investment," the sheriff added.