Shots fired at Santa Monica College; multiple gunshot victims
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (KABC) -- Santa Monica College was placed on lockdown Friday due to an active shooter on campus, confirmed Los Angeles sheriff's officials.
The shooting was reported at the school campus shortly after noon. It was unclear how many shots were fired or exactly where but witnesses reported hearing shots in the school's library.
Santa Monica College student Sam Luster was preparing for a presentation in the school's library when he heard bullets.
"We didn't know what was happening until all the students at the entrance of the library started running down towards the bottom of the library," Luster said. He then took cover under a desk before heading towards the exit. Near the exit, Luster says he heard multiple gun shots.
Santa Monica College student Chad Lazzari also heard what he says sounded like a gun shot and then repetitive shots. Lazzari says several hundred people panicked and tried to exit the building following the gun shots.
"One of the doors wasn't opening so alot of kids were panicking against the locked door and funneled around to the other side," said Lazzari.
Lazzari also said he saw a car with its windows shattered parked in the middle of the campus notably blasted with bullet holes.
Sheriff's officials have confirmed multiple victims.
A second shooting, believed to be related, was reported a few blocks east of the school's campus on 21st Street. An eyewitness told ABC7 cameraman Shawn McCarthy that a man dressed in black got out of a vehicle at a nearby intersection and started shooting indiscriminately.
Three victims were reportedly shot and found in a vehicle about a block and a half away from the school. Officials transported the victims to the UCLA Reagan Medical Center.
Authorities say one gunman has been taken into custody. His condition remains unknown. Officials say there's a possibility that a second additional suspect remains outstanding.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Two nearby schools including Will Rogers Elementary School and John Adams Middle School have been place on lockdown.
President Barack Obama was en route to Santa Monica to attend a Democratic National Committee fundraising event. The Secret Service was notified but a spokesman for the Secret Service, Edwin Donovan, says the shooting is not impacting Obama's visit.
"We are aware of the incident and it is not impacting the visit," Donovan said. "It's a local police matter at this point."
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