A 12-year-old teenager died after being shot by another minor in a US high school

A 12-year-old student has died in hospital after being shot by a classmate his own age at a high school in South Carolina, United States.

At around 12.30 p.m. (local time), a resource officer at 'Tanglewood' High School has requested emergency support after a student was shot at least one, the Greenville County Police Office said in a statement, as reported by CBS News.

The incident occurred inside the school, near the front of the building, has detailed Police Officer Hobart Lewis. The victim was taken to hospital and later died. No other students have been injured in the incident and the suspect has been arrested, as confirmed by the sheriff's office.

“My heart breaks for this young man's family and my prayers are with them tonight,” Lewis said in a statement. “In addition, I will pray for the other young man who pulled the trigger and for his family. I can't understand what would cause someone to do this to another human being,” he added.

Thus, the Police have detailed that the students “knew each other”, but did not provide further details. “We don't really know the details of why it happened and why so many young people resort to violence, especially with firearms,” Lewis emphasized.

The suspect has fled the school after the shooting and has been arrested about an hour later, after the police found them hiding under a cover in a residence.

The juvenile has been charged with murder, possession of a gun during a violent crime, possession of a firearm on school property and illegal possession of a gun by a person under the age of 18, authorities have explained. The suspect will be transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia.

(With information from Europa Press)

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