Arizona: Double Shooting at Independence High School In Glendale
02/12/2016 at 7:50 | fox5vegas.com
Glendale police are investigating a double shooting at Independence High School near Glendale and 75th Avenue.
I can confirm there has been a double shooting at the high school at 6600 N. 75th, Glendale Police Officer Tracey Breeden said. . Dont have a lot of details yet. Im heading to the scene.
Details are sketchy but a large number of officers are at 6602 N. 75th Ave.
GLENDALE, AZ - Two teenagers at a Glendale high school were killed Friday morning in a shooting that police are calling a "tragic" situation.
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Glendale police spokesperson Tracey Breeden said officers responded to calls of a shooting at Independence High School near 75th and Glendale avenues just before 8 a.m., right around the time school is scheduled to begin for the day.
.@GlendaleAZPD responded to Independence H.S. in less than two minutes and found two 15-year-old, female students dead on scene. @abc15
Anthony Cave (@Anthony_Cave) February 12, 2016
WHAT HAPPENED?
Police found two 15-year-old female sophomores lying next to each other on campus each dead of a single gunshot wound, said Breeden. A weapon was found next to them.
Detectives are still processing the scene but are not looking for any other suspects or persons of interest.
Police referred to the situation as an "isolated incident," and were quick to reassure parents that their children "are safe" and that this was not an active shooter-type situation.
The circumstances of what led to the shooting are still under investigation and the relationship between the two girls was not immediately clear.
ABC15reached Glendale Vice Mayor Ian Hugh by phone Friday. He called the shooting "a horrible tragedy" and said that city employees are following the developments.
HOW PARENTS CAN PICK-UP THEIR CHILDREN
Students have been released from Independence High School, according to the district.
However, parents are not allowed on campus.
Parents have to meet at the Walmart near 75th Avenue and Glendale Avenue and will be bused to the school to be reunited with their student. Parents need to have identification to pick-up their student.
Parents will then be bused back to the staging area.
Some students will be allowed to walk home or drive home. However, they MUST contact their parent or legal guardian. The school will be making sure that contact happens, according to the district.
Students who regularly take the bus home will be transported home via the bus.
"No student will be allowed to leave campus without parent/guardian notice," the district said in its Facebook update.
INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOL ON LOCKDOWN
Glendale Union High School District posted on their Facebook page that the school would remain on lockdown until police have been able to clear the school and deem it safe.
Read their statement below:
Independence High School was put on lock down this morning due to a police investigation. Police have secured the campus. There is no active shooter on campus. The investigation is ongoing.
The campus remains on lock down and no one will be allowed to enter or exit the campus until the police have lifted the lock down and ensured the safety of the school.
Parents will be notified as soon as it is safe for students to be picked up from campus.
We will actively communicate with parents as more information is available.
75THAVENUE CLOSED BETWEEN GLENDALE AND BETHANY HOME ROAD
Seventy-Fifth Avenue is closed between Glendale Avenueand Bethany Home Road, according to the Maricopa County Department of Transportation.
Independence High School is part of the Glendale Union High School District. It joined the district in 1977,according to the school"s website.
GUHSDhas nine high schools that cater to 15,000 students in Phoenix and Glendale,according to its website.
GOV. DOUG DUCEY: "OUR HEARTS REMAIN WITH THE STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES"
Arizona Gov. Doug Duceyreleased the following statement as details on Friday"s shooting were released.
"As details of this morning"s tragic shooting continue to be released, our hearts remain with the students, educators and families of Independence High School and the entire Glendale community."
He thanked first responders, police, teachers and school administrators for their "swift response and diligent work" to keep the area safe.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with them, with everyone on scene and with the community during this difficult time," his statement read.
INFOGRAPHIC: A LOOK AT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN 2016
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