What started as an ordinary Wednesday afternoon in North Hills turned tense when Los Angeles school police and LAPD officers rushed to the streets just outside Sepulveda Middle School after reports of a shooting off campus. At least one person was treated by officers and medics at the scene, and the school was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution. Authorities have not said whether the wounded person is a student, and so far they are keeping most details close to the vest.
Officials' initial account
According to the Los Angeles Times, school police spokesman Jorge Herrera confirmed that the incident unfolded just off school grounds, saying, "We can confirm the shooting occurred off campus adjacent to Sepulveda Middle School." The LAPD told the paper that its officers arrived after an emergency call that came in around 3:08 p.m. and verified there was a victim, though officials did not describe the injuries.
Where it happened
The shooting took place beside Francisco Sepulveda Middle School in North Hills, which lists its address as 15330 Plummer St on the school website. Francisco Sepulveda Middle School notes that the campus serves students in the LAUSD North region.
What remains unclear
Officials have not said whether the injured person has any connection to the school, and they have not publicly shared how serious the injuries are. A school-police source told the Los Angeles Times that an officer placed a tourniquet on the victim and requested an ambulance. Investigators remained on scene into the afternoon, and the paper reports that the LAPD is asking anyone with information to contact detectives.
How to reach authorities
The Los Angeles School Police communications center is listed at (213) 625-6631 for reports or inquiries, according to the department’s public page at Los Angeles School Police. This story will be updated as officials release additional information.
