Md. high school student shot at random by classmate: Police

Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson said at a news conference Monday afternoon that officers believed that the shooter fired at random.

A Baltimore County police officer speaks to a parent as students are evacuated from Perry Hall High School after a student was shot and critically wounded on the first day of classes on Aug. 27, in Perry Hall, Md. A suspect was taken into custody shortly after the shooting, according to police. No one else was reported injured.

Steve Ruark/AP

August 27, 2012

Authorities say a student who was shot and critically wounded on the first day of classes at a Baltimore County high school was shot at random.

Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson said at a news conference Monday afternoon that officers believed that the shooter, who was also a student at Perry Hall High School, fired at random and struck the 17-year-old victim.

Johnson says the shooter took out a weapon he had hidden when teachers and a school resource officer immediately rushed him. Johnson said a second shot was fired. The shooter was quickly subdued.

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A hospital spokeswoman says the teen who was shot is in critical condition.

Johnson says the shooter acted alone. Police found the weapon he used but would not say what it was.