Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez called on local Catholics to pray in the wake of a school shooting in Santa Clarita that left at least two students dead.
“I'm praying for the victims of this morning’s school shooting in Santa Clarita," wrote the archbishop as he traveled back to Los Angeles from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Fall Assembly in Baltimore this week.
"Please pray with me for the one person who has died and for those who are wounded. May God comfort their families and loved ones and bring healing. Pray also for all the young people and faculty in the school and their families and pray for all the first responders and law enforcement officers. May Our Blessed Mother keep them all in her maternal care and may God give them peace.”
A 16-year-old student at Saugus High School reportedly pulled a .45-caliber handgun from his backpack during the start of classes Thursday morning and fired on students. Two victims have since died, and at least 3 others were wounded.
Police received a call about the gunfire at 7:38 a.m., and were on the scene two minutes later, where they found six students, including the suspected shooter, injured in the school's quad with gunshot wounds.
Authorities reported that the shooter turned the gun on himself at the end, and is being treated at a hospital for a gunshot wound to the head.
There has been no word yet on the shooter's motive. Law enforcement officials are still investigating.
UPDATE (Thurs., Nov. 14, 3:09 p.m.):
