Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Students Shot At Ohio High School; Taliban Claims Attack, Poisoning Plot; Candidates Slam Obama For Apology
Aired February 27, 2012 - 09:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's Channel 3 photographer Derek Labeaud talking with parents and students. And we're trying here as best we can, while on one hand covering a breaking news story. We also want to execute and exercise a little discretion here because not everyone wants to be on camera. As Derek was talking with the family --
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN ANCHOR: Well, we've been following this breaking news out of Chardon, Ohio, which is about just 30 miles east of Cleveland.
At least four students injured when a gunman walked into the high school there and began opening fire. We spoke to a woman whose daughter was inside the building. She was texting with her daughter throughout the morning.
It happened at about 7:30 this morning when a student walked into a building with a gun. And it seems pretty clear by some of the reports on the ground that in fact, it was known that a student was in the building with a gun.
According to one of the children, five shots rang out in the area of the cafeteria. The cafeteria would be an area where many teens were having breakfast and study hall before school started.
The 18-year-old girl who was texting her mom believes that as many as four students were shot. They were medivaced out of the area, taken to a local hospital. Not clear right exactly how badly they were injured.
But we are told that some of the kids, listening to local affiliates. Some of the students who were shot may have been waiting for a bus that was going to take them to a different high school.
We are checking on that now. The SWAT team did respond. They are on scene now. Police officers and FBI also on the scene there questioning many of the students and teachers and authorities who may have been there and witnessed who the gun man was and what happened and why it happened.
That high school is now a crime scene as they try to piece together the events that took place within an hour and a half period. According to the sheriff, the gunman is -- has been taken into custody.
He was taken into custody about 9:00 this morning so it ended somewhat quickly, but the school did go into lockdown, complete crisis mode, as fearful parents were trading information, voice mail alerts were also given to the parents. Let's take a listen to what one of those had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TERESSA HUNT, PARENT (via telephone): She had phoned me or she texted me I should say this morning. I want to say it was around a quarter to 8:00. She says, we're on lockdown, mom. There's been a shooting.
I text her back and I said, what do you mean there's been a shooting? What's going on? She said, we heard shots down the hallway. They put us on lockdown, shut the doors. She didn't know much more about that point.
But we kept texting back and forth probably about 50 texts this morning. She knew it was a student that brought a gun to school and five shots rang out. She knew people had been injured. She didn't know how bad their injuries were at that time.
I don't think she knows now either. Just about 15 minutes ago, she called me to let me know that they are releasing her to the elementary school, which is across the street, and I'm to pick her up. I can't get out of my driveway. The traffic is bumper to bumper.
FEYERICK: Miss Hunt -- go ahead.
HUNT: I have to report to the sheriff when I get to the elementary school. They will not let me enter. I must get my name, show I.D. to pick up my daughter and then they will go get here in the school.
They're not letting anybody walk. This is a walking community here. They're not letting anybody leave on foot. They're not letting any student leave the building, which is awesome to hear. The school has done a really great job at their job.
FEYERICK: Miss Hunt, do you know -- your daughter said she believed it was a student. Did she give you any more information on why she believed that was the case?
HUNT: Only because the other students said someone had seen the kid bring the gun to school. Now I don't know how true that is because of course, I'm not there. And you know how kids talk amongst themselves.
So I don't know how true any of that is. But I do know it was a student with a gun through the other phone calls that I have received through other parents since.
FEYERICK: OK, the wounded, where was your daughter? Did she say where she believed the shots came from? What area of the building?
HUNT: She said they came from the cafeteria. They came down from that end of the building. She was down the same hallway, but the cafeteria is at the other end.
FEYERICK: OK, and knowing what you know of the school, is the cafeteria at that time of the morning, is that where most students or many students congregate before heading off to their classes, do you know?
HUNT: Yes. They serve breakfast in the morning and she said the shooting took place at about 7:30. I know the first bell rings at 7:18. So I know that lunchroom had to have probably quite a few children in it.
FEYERICK: OK. Do you know, miss hunt, you said the school reacted very well. Has the school done drills given some school shootings that have happened over the past couple of years, is this a school proactive in terms of instructing students what to do should it happen there?
HUNT: Yes, they had drills. I believe they do two a year, from what my daughter has told me. I know previously a few years ago they had another incident. My son went to Chardon also.
He had a lockdown situation. There was a bomb threat called in. It was a false alarm. But ever since Columbine happened, I know the school has been active of doing drills every year since my children have been going there.
FEYERICK: OK, your daughter -- did she -- obviously, there were reports circulating in the school that a student had brought a gun to school.
In a very vague descriptive way, are they any details of who the student might be? Was it shall be who seemed to have a falling out with the school? Somebody who was doing badly in class?
Were there any sorts of descriptions that your daughter was able to give you, again, understanding that she was in lockdown while the shooting occurred?
HUNT: I did ask her about the third or fourth text in if she had any indication that something was going to break out in the school this morning or you know, rumor within the last week or so? And she said no, mom. This was sudden. I hadn't heard nothing and none of her friends had heard anything either.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FEYERICK: All right, that is an interview we did earlier this morning with one of the moms who was in constant communication with her daughter, who was in lockdown in one of the classrooms.
And again, they believe this happened in the area of the cafeteria, which would have been a very busy place at that time of the morning with students not only having breakfast, but also study hall.
We listened into another local affiliate. They believe that some of the students who may have been shot were waiting for a bus to take them to a nearby vocational school.
But again, all of that right now very fluid as we try to piece together the situation. We do know that the FBI is on scene. The sheriff's department is on scene, local police officers as well. They're questioning anyone who may have been in the area to try to figure out exactly how this happened.
You can see some of the students who were leaving the school. Their parents came to picked them up. They left with what they had basically. Many of them walking out without coats, without books, but they did have to go across the street to an elementary school where their parents had to talk to the sheriff before picking up the children.
Those children, you can imagine, terrifying moments inside that school building as they heard the shots ring out, and then try to make sense of the chaos. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They were taken into or out of?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you're saying is that there has been a stretcher taken into or out of.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two of the ambulances have taken stretchers out and have taken them into the elementary school. This may be precautionary from someone being overwhelmed by emotions.
Others who might be seeing this or hearing it, that's what I'm seeing. I'm really struck by the schools that are out in the neighborhood. Of course, everybody goes to one high school.
All the families know each other. I'm sure that many probably thought this was a safe place, but I think what they'll get into reviewing the plan of how to protect.
You know, short of putting metal detectors in every door every day, how do you prepare for something like this? It's a dialogue that will be long term, I'm sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely and that's a dialogue we like folks who are watching us to sort of weigh in on, hashtag, freetoday on our Facebook page. What do you think needs to be done?
Is this sort of one of those instances where you can't overreact because you don't want to put to put everybody in a military state, but at the same time might something if a mechanism were in place, might it have prevented a tragedy like this.
So, Eric, let me ask you. We were asking people on the other site, does it strike you how calm these folks are? It seems to be very orderly. Initially first reports you even mentioned some people abandoned their cars on the side of the road just to a hustle and get there as quickly as they can.
Now that they there, is it just a stunned shock? Subdued? How would you describe it? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For as many people as are here right now, Chris, it is extremely calm and that's because so many people are being quiet. Those who haven't gotten to their kids yet are in a state of shock. Those that have are in a state of relief. I would say very few are really stopping to talk to the media.
It's very calm for as much as has gone on here today. As they try to deal with this. One thing does stand out to me though, Chris, is that this school district clearly had a plan in place.
So they must have been, you know, preparing for this worst case scenario, how to block the traffic so that the police can get in and out of the building. How emergency vehicles can get out of here. That's something we have not seen play out in other school shootings.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And Eric, we want to let people know exactly what they're looking at right now. This is obviously live video of Maple and Chardon Avenue.
Maple Elementary is where the high school kids were evacuated to while they wait to be reunited with their parents. You can see some of them walking out right now. The high school is at 151 Chardon Avenue.
They were only really bussed across the street to be reunited with their parents and you can see even some police there at the intersection. Either helping parents or making sure they know what they need before they go into school.
Because Eric, as we understand it, they're making sure every child before they leave Maple Elementary is accounted for.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's correct. I'll just step in right now. I think you're watching the same feed as we're looking at. You're seeing the kids come out. They are checking them off. They have list up there.
But clearly, you're not going to be to account for everyone. We move out of the way for some vehicles to get through, but you know, this is going to be the really hard part. The students that didn't get school need to notify the district that they're home and they're safe. Students who may have left on their own need to do the same and those that get picked up were being checked off one at a time. But it's going to be all day process for accountability.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, Eric, I've been talking with Erin who was, you know, in the Denver area when Columbine happened. We lost the feed there at Maple and Chardon Avenue, we're get them back shortly.
But you know the similarities, still too early to know how this is going to play out. But the differences between now and the Columbine are striking, too. We did not have social media.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Or cell phones. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We didn't have cell phones in everybody's hands for the most part when that happens. So it has changed seismically just in -- that was in 1999. I think it was.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, '99.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So we're talking 13 years ago. You know, life has changed in America. Some of the contact that parents had today that probably made them feel a little better, those texts that she got from her son gives them some peace of mind that maybe those at Columbine didn't have.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely. One of the things we saw was with the advent of cell phones the school districts want to control them. And there was some districts that went to a no cell phone policy or making the kids lock them up.
That was challenged in court at one time and now a lot of school districts including the (inaudible) school where my children attend have gone back to the policy of because of Columbine -
(END LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE)
FEYERICK: We are looking at live coverage there of the school that was evacuated in Chardon, Ohio. Four people, four teenagers, four students were injured. One suspect in custody believed to be the gunman. Also believed to be a student.
Law enforcement there on the scene, trying to piece together exactly what happened. We don't know the extent of the injuries. But we are staying on this story. We're going to bring you the very latest as we turn to some more news. We'll be back after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: We have breaking news to bring you up to speed right now. At least four people injured and one student apparently in custody after opening fire in a high school in Chardon, Ohio about 30 miles outside of Cleveland.
We spoke to a mother of one of the students who was in the building when the shooting occurred at 7:30 this morning. The mother telling us she was in constant contact with her daughter via text.
But apparently students in the building knew that someone brought a gun to school this morning. The teenager heard five shots coming from the cafeteria area, many teenagers there having breakfast. Also study hall at that time of the morning.
The teenager believes as many as four students were shot. We don't know the extent of the injuries, but they were taken by helicopter to a local hospital where they're now being treated for their wounds.
The school did go into immediate lockdown, fear and panic gripping many of those in the building who had no idea what was going on or who was shooting. We are told also some of the students who may have been shot were waiting for a bus to go to a nearby vocational school.
Police on the scene questioning witnesses and also trying to piece together what happened, how it happened and why. I'm going to bring you the very latest on that.
But right now we're going to turn and go overseas where there are troubling new developments in Afghanistan. The Taliban is behind the latest retaliatory attacks for the latest Muslim holy books.
The Taliban says it carried out this morning deadly car bombing at a military airfield and the Taliban also claims to have poisoned food at a dining hall for U.S. troops.
Our Nick Paton Walsh is in Kabul. Nick, bring us up to speed on this. And Barbara Starr also we're going to be talking to about the implications of this.
But first, Nick, two high ranking U.S. officers essentially assassinates in Afghan security headquarters over the weekend. Then you have a bombing at a NATO base and poisoning of food at a U.S. base also.
And the Taliban is taking credit for all of this. What is going on? Bring us up to date.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the first thing this morning a suicide bombing at the gate of an airport used by both NATO and civilians, killing six Afghan civilians and three security guards, a fairly large suicide bombing.
The Taliban leapt forward very quickly to claim responsibility and said it was in vengeance for the Koran burning. Now we can't tell if it was a long planned attack whereas they decided to claim credit for and use this sort of as a political opportunity to try and harness Afghan anger at the Koran burning.
The concern I think as the violence picks up in the coming months, the Taliban may try and suggest a lot of it is a result of the Koran burning. That may resonate with Afghans furious of this, but also furious at the decade long NATO presence that hasn't really changed their lives.
Now on the issue of the poisoning, news fist broke when the Taliban put out an e-mail saying they killed five Americans through poisoning their food. Now that turned out to be completely untrue. No Americans have been hurt.
But what is interesting is a lot of them battling this claim away completely did say yes. There's been contamination of some coffee and fruit by chlorine beach at a base near the Pakistani border.
They don't know how it necessarily got there. They're not sure if it was deliberate. But somehow the Taliban appeared to have known about this and put the statement out first causing (inaudible) to have to confirm it.
Suggesting at the very least they have good intelligence about what's happening inside the bases. Secondly, there's a large fear about trust. This issue with the poisoning, the issue with two officers being killed on the Interior Ministry base, two other American soldiers killed on Thursday last week at another base by another man in Afghan army uniform.
All of this plays into the minds of American and NATO soldiers here working arm and arm with Afghan soldiers. They're training because they need them to take care of the security of their country so they can leave. But instances like this just make everybody very nervous and damage the trust that is so essential.
FEYERICK: And what so incredible, Nick, is that President Karzai did have a news conference. But he did not even address the killing inside the Afghan security headquarters until he was asked about it. He didn't offer an apology. He simply offered condolences.
WALSH: Well, I think President Karzai responds to be 28 Afghans died in the protests of the last week and that's obviously as much concern to him as the Afghan president. But, yes, certainly there were some eyebrows raised about why there was a question for him to mention the American deaths.
The defense minister has apologized to U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, certainly suggesting that is concern on the Afghan authorities about this continuing, but I think it points to a broader issue.
Many U.S. officials here and in Washington are questioning how much of a part of this is Karzai. How much of a reliable partner of the soldiers is the entire Afghan government as they move into this very delicate, very costly, very decisive state of this decade long war -- Deb.
FEYERICK: Especially since it appears that the Taliban has successfully infiltrated the Afghan security forces. Nick Paton Walsh for us there in Kabul. Thanks so much.
We're now going to go to Barbara Starr who is at the Pentagon. Barbara, what's so interesting is that the two officers who were killed inside security headquarters.
They are effectively part of the team helping hand the baton over to Afghan security so that they can rule the country. But this seems to have basically undercut that because now those advisers have been pulled out. They don't know who is who.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Deb. General John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan over the weekend pulling military advisers out of all the ministries in Kabul until he can be convinced his aide say that security there has improved and it's safe to send them back.
That is just the latest in terms of what is a deteriorating relationship on some key fronts. Across the board, no, you will find in Afghanistan right now, U.S. and Afghan forces continuing to operate side by side.
The majority is going along as it does each and every day in Afghanistan for many years. But you have this growing number of incidents and the question is, for U.S. officials is this all going to gather steam?
Will it gather speed and velocity to a point where the relationship does become damaged? Where the trust can't be repaired? Item number one is for the Afghan government to show the U.S. that those ministries can be made safe after the killing of the two Americans and that advisers can go back in.
U.S. officials telling us it is their very strong belief that the Karzai government simply has not done enough to tap down the violence across the country in the day since the original incident the burning of the Koran -- Deb.
FEYERICK: OK, Barbara Starr, thanks so much. In another note related to that, two top Afghan officials were supposed to be in Washington to ask Washington not to cut off funding for security forces that trip was canceled.
We're going back now to our breaking story. This morning a shooting at an Ohio high school. Students now being interviewed by a local affiliate. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was like, our door slammed and we heard two gunshots.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you know who this was? Did you know who they were going after?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have no idea. I don't know who the kid was. I've heard stuff, but I don't really know what to believe.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of different rumors.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was terrifying. I heard they locked everybody down. You're crouching in corners not really knowing what's going on.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, exactly. We were kind of just like sitting -- I've never seen anybody run that fast in my life and I run track. There was a stampede of kids sprinting by us. I heard a lot of people yelling and then I heard the guns go off.
(END LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE)
FEYERICK: All right, we'll have the latest for you. It appears that those teens knew there was a gun in the school and raced to get out of the building. We're going to take a break. We'll be back right after.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: And we want to recap that school shooting for you in Chardon, Ohio, about 30 miles outside of Cleveland. The suspect is in custody. The suspect believed to be a student who opened fire in the building at 7:30 this morning.
The area believed to be a busy cafeteria where students are having breakfast and having study hall as well. One of the teens inside the building heard five shots, believes as many as four students were shot.
Those students were taken by helicopter to a local hospital. Not clear just yet the extent of their injuries or what their condition is. Those students may have been waiting for a bus to take them to a vocational school when they were shot.
According to one witness, teens were crouching in corners. All the sudden they heard a stampede of students who may have been trying to run from the cafeteria before an additional shooting. Let's take a listen to some of the witnesses.
(BEGIN LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once I got up the hallway, I heard somebody yell get down. I heard a bunch of shots fired behind me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Describe the scene. Was it total chaos? Tell me about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, it was a lot of running. A lot of screaming. I heard a bunch of shots fired.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you happen to see the guy with the gun, the shooter?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I never look behind me. I just ran. Booked it down to hallway.
(END LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE)
FEYERICK: As you can, a lot of the students heard those gunshots. The school appears to have had practice drills. They had a plan in place right after Columbine.
So teachers knew enough to lock the doors and keep the students in class during the shooting. SWAT team arrived. Police officer sheriffs on scene now questioning some of the witnesses. We're going to take a quick break. We're going to have a lot more for you when we come back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: We are going back to breaking news "Top Story" shooting at a local high school in Ohio. Here is the Sheriff, take a listen. (BEGIN LIVE SPEECH)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Some distance for school who had fled on, on foot.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where were the victims located inside of the school building? Were they all spread out?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Primarily three locations. And we're holding that information right now until we get things -- you know as you -- you initially pointed out there were reports of four victims. You have to understand please that as things came in and began to unfold quite quickly, the number of students, the area that needs to be secured everyone's safety. You know the information is kind of sketchy in the very beginning.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do any of you three have an update on any of the victim's conditions at this point?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't have any update information we're able to share at this time.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you know what kind of weapons were used at this point?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a handgun involved. And again we came down here. We knew you were waiting and looking for information. So many of the questions you might ask, we're getting the information as we speak. And it's unfolding.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Like how many shots fired. That kind of --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't have that information.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Was the handgun found on him or was it located someplace else?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm no -- not commenting at this -- at this point.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are they all students are the ones that were shot?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The students -- yes they were all students in this school.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are they classified as critical?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're waiting to update information as you are. We know that three of the individuals were taken to Metro we're life flight and flown to Metro and to Hill Crest.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sir, you mentioned that one of the teachers actually chased the shooter out of the building. Could you elaborate more on that? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- when the sheriff and I arrived on the scene that was the information that dispatch gave us that the teacher had chased him outside the building. So --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You don't have the name of the teacher?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And chief we heard that there were other spies, at least three boys and one girl.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Possibly three boys, maybe four boys. No, one was a female, I did see a female.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Chief we're going to go inside and we'll be back out here probably in 15 minutes to finish this off.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do we know the age of the shooter? What grade he was in?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ok that is an update --
(END LIVE SPEECH)
FEYERICK: All right. And that's some preliminary information there from the Sheriff's department. They're going back into the school.
But apparently the gunman who is a student was caught running from the school immediately after the shooting.
We have now got an FBI agent on the phone with us. And we want to -- that's Vicki Anderson who is not at the scene but who is been -- who is in touch with those who are. First of all Agent Anderson tell me how many FBI personnel do you have and what information are they telling you?
VICKI ANDERSON, SPECIAL FBI AGENT: Well, we'd like to say that we are not the primary in this investigation. A lot of the information that you just received is -- is more up to date. Because as you well know, the County Sheriff's office is the primary there with Chardon P.D. from my understanding, Ohio BCI is also on scene and so is Ohio State Patrol.
We were asked to assist this morning as soon as this started occurring. We received calls out in our residents, agency office in Paynesville (ph) and our agents responded immediately. We have -- I can't give you an accurate number of how many agents are out there. But our SWAT team is assisting the locals and -- and making sure the building is clear and we have agents on scene, starting to -- the preliminary investigation, again, to assist the locals as needed.
FEYERICK: And Agent Anderson, are they going to be looking at the forensic information? Are they going to be processing all of that? Helping to map part of the investigation?
ANDERSON: I'm sure as needed we will be. You know this is most likely a local crime. So in a situation like this, we will be in a support function. So at this time I really don't know if -- if we will be processing the scene or if it will be BCI that will take the lead. I'm sure all of that will be worked out, out there on scene as things unfold.
FEYERICK: And also you say some of the FBI SWAT team members did respond. Did they go into the school while it was still on lockdown? Or did they arrive after the gunman had fled as far as you know?
ANDERSON: That I probably can't answer that accurately because I'm not on scene. But I know that our SWAT. team members did respond. And I am aware that they are assisting in -- in -- in making sure the building is clear of any other potential threats and -- and make sure everyone is out of the building.
FEYERICK: Ok. And anything else you can tell us about either the condition of some of those who were shot or the sheriff agency -- the sheriff's department, how they're going to be handling this. What we can look forward to in terms of how this develops?
ANDERSON: From my understanding, would probably the locals will probably determine a press conference this afternoon and let you guys know when -- when the things are a little bit more revealed that what we can state. So that will probably occur later on this afternoon.
We do believe there are five students that were injured. As you guys said previously we're not exactly sure the condition of those students at this time. But as things unfold we'll definitely get that information out to you.
FEYERICK: Ok Special Agent Vicki Anderson bringing us up to date. The Sheriff's Department and local police there on scene, they are the lead agencies, the lead investigators right now and FBI helping in a support capacity.
Right now we are going to -- we are going to take a break and then we're going to have a lot more for you right on the other side. Stay with us, CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: Bringing you the latest on that school shooting in Chardon, Ohio. We're now told as many as five students may have been shot by a lone gunman. Also a student who entered the building early this morning about 7:30 when many students were in the cafeteria. That is the area where the shooting is believed to have taken place. Witnesses describe a stampede as people try to get away.
As many as five shots rang out. As many as five students, we're now being told, were hit. We don't know the extent of their injuries but they were taken by helicopter to local hospitals. Three of them at Metro Hospital. Two at Hill Crest. It appears that four of the victims are boys; one, a girl. But again, we don't know just how badly the injuries are that they sustained. They may have been waiting for a bus to take them to vocational classes at a nearby school.
Now according to one mom who spoke to her daughter, there was a report that a student had walked into Chardon High School carrying a gun. Five shots did ring out in the area of the cafeteria. Kids ran. There was chaos.
The school went into immediate lockdown. They do have a plan in place. Teachers shut the doors keeping students in the classroom. They were cowering in corners. Others who were not in class stampeding away from the area of the shooter.
Frantic parents raced to the school to find out exactly where their children are. School has been suspended. They're at a local elementary school right now. That's where the high school students are. They're being interviewed by sheriff deputies as well as local police officers there to find out exactly what happened and what is known of the shooter.
We're also told that ATF, they're also on the scene. The school did put a plan in place right after the Columbine shooting so that they would know how to respond if this happens. And it appears the planning did pay off.
We are going to go to a short commercial break and then we're going to be -- standby, we are now going to go to some of the witnesses who were there, very powerful statements about what happened there this morning.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And then our door slammed and then we heard two gunshots go off.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you know who this was? Did you know who they were going after?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have no idea. I don't even know who the kid was. I've heard stuff but I don't really know what to believe.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of different rumors.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, a lot of stuff that's going there.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It had to be terrifying. I heard they locked everybody down for quite some time. You're crouching in corners.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not really knowing what's going on. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, exactly. We were kind of just like sitting in my (INAUDIBLE) like a stampede of kids -- like I've never seen anybody run that fast in my life. And I run track. There was literally like a stampede of kids like sprinted by us. And I heard a lot of people yelling, and we heard the guns go off.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once I got in the hallway, I went up to the (INAUDIBLE) I heard someone yelled behind me get down and I heard shots fired behind me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Describe the scene. Was it total chaos? Tell me about it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was a lot of running. A lot of screaming. I heard a bunch of shots fired.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you happen to see the guy with the gun? The shooter?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I never looked behind me. I just ran. I booked (ph) it down the hall way.
SHERIFF DANIEL MCCLELLAND, GEORGE COUNTY, OHIO: Our deputies began to immediately respond to the scene. As soon as deputies and officers from the Chardon Police Department were on scene, a prompt entry was made into the school.
They went into the school. Located victims. They started to ensure the safety of the other students. It became readily apparent that the shooter had fled already. The EMS crews were brought in. As you can imagine a perimeter was set up to ensure that the suspect did not come back into the school. Our K-9 unit was brought in, tracking was commenced. And the individual was apprehended some distance from the school, would have fled on foot.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: And a key piece of information there coming from the sheriff. It appears that the gunman, a student emptied his weapon and then ran from the school. Not clear whether there were any more bullets that he intended to use or what the motive of this particular shooting is.
You hear the student say that she's hearing rumors of who it may have been but nobody quite knows exactly what is truth and what is fiction right now in terms of who that gunman is and why he may have done what he did.
The suspect did run from the building after discharging his weapon and was apprehended. He was caught about 9:00 this morning; that's an hour and a half after the shooting occurred. He is now being questioned by police and sheriff deputies as well.
You can take a look at the school there. It is being evacuated. People -- students being brought to their home. A lot of parents raced to building to find out exactly what was going on as fear and panic gripped these families early this morning.
Everybody from the high school was transferred over to a school across the way. But again a lot of it developing. School has been canceled. The high school a crime scene right now as FBI, ATF, local police sheriffs try to recreate exactly how this shooting played out.
Five students, we're being told were injured; we don't know the extent of their injuries. Four boys one girl; they were a helicoptered to local hospitals. They are being treated for their wounds right now. Families racing to be with them at this time.
Officers do believe that it was one gunman and one gunman only, and apparently it may have been a student.
We're going to take a break right now. We're going to have lots more when we come back. I'm Deborah Feyerick, this is CNN.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: To recap our story, fear and panic at an Ohio high school this morning. Parents and their children trying to come to terms with the shooting that rocked the school in the early hour, 7:30. Five students were injured.
One gunman, also believed to be a student. He is in custody. Local authorities on the scene processing what is now a crime scene. We'll bring you the latest in a moment.
But we do want to check our other top stories in the news.
First in Afghanistan. Taliban claims responsibility for the latest attacks against the U.S. burning of Muslim holy books. A morning car bomb killed at least nine people. The Taliban claiming it poisoned foot at one NATO base.
And in Syria, the city of Homs remains the center of the bloodshed. An opposition group says 22 people died there today. Just minutes ago Syria says nearly 90 percent of voters approved a new constitution, which could keep President Al-Assad in power but would be the first step towards a potential reform.
In New Orleans a judge grants one week detail in the civil liability trial for the BP gulf oil spill. That suggests that the parties may be closer to an out of court settlement.
Well, the GOP presidential candidates are slamming President Obama for his response to the Koran burning in Afghanistan and the ensuing anti-American violence. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWT GINGRICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I find it frankly infuriating that the commander-in-chief faced with a situation where an Afghan soldier who had been paid by us, equipped by us and trained by us kills two young Americans and wounds four. And the President doesn't demand that Karzai apologize? RICK SANTORUM (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have a president who is uniquely weak in the face of evil. We see it now in Afghanistan. We've seen it in remarkable ways.
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This president has made it more difficult for our fighting men and women to be successful in our mission in Afghanistan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: Well, our political director, Mark Preston joins me now. And Mark, you know the turmoil in Afghanistan, first of all, look. President Obama when he gets this, he's going to say I'm the one who's pulling them out. You know, I didn't bring them there in the first place. What are the Republican candidates are saying now, is it really resonating? Or is it simply just sort of saber rattling.
MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I think it's saber- rattling; certainly at this point. You know what's interesting is that the candidates, the Republican candidates have only been talking about the economy. That's the number one issue right here in the United States. Arguably the number one issue around the world. Their focus has been on the economy.
However, it seems that they saw an opportunity to strike at the President. Certainly with the deaths of these two military advisers over the interior ministry in Afghanistan. The wounding of U.S. Soldiers and then of course, this whole controversy around him, apologizing for the burning of the Koran.
FEYERICK: Absolutely. And also what President Karzai does, too because without an apology, I think the American administration is going to be a lot more resolute against giving any more money because they don't know who to trust. So that's another issue.
But we are also looking at a crucial GOP showdown in Michigan and Arizona, that's tomorrow. What do you think is going to happen?
PRESTON: I mean it's amazing how many eggs we put into the basket for tomorrow night's election. Specifically in Michigan. Mitt Romney has made Michigan his home. That's where he was born. His father made his career there, was a governor. And of course, Mitt Romney grew up there. If Mitt Romney doesn't win Michigan then the story line out of Tuesday night is going to be that Mitt Romney will continue to drop, and Rick Santorum continues to rise.
However, if Mitt Romney is able to even win, even by the slightest of margins tomorrow, the whole narrative again will change. One state we were not really talking a whole lot about although we were out there last week for the presidential debate is Arizona. There are 29 electoral votes on the table. And that's winner take all. Mitt Romney has a pretty big lead right now on in that state.
FEYERICK: I was reading something over the weekend. I think it was in the "Wall Street Journal" about one writer one who said, the Republican nominee is going to emerge so bloodied that his victory is sort of going to hardly be worth having.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens. Mark Preston, with politics, thanks so much. We really appreciate it.
And Romney has gotten a couple of big endorsements in Arizona. One from the governor, Jan Brewer. The other from the state's biggest newspaper.
The "Arizona Republic" says, quote, "There's eloquence in achievements and the task at hand is defined by Republicans themselves. The real world achievements of Mitt Romney far surpass those of virtually all the lifelong politicians against whom he is competing".
Phil is the editorial page editor at the "Arizona Republic". And Phil, you also wrote that Romney wouldn't be a passion president. So is this an enthusiastic endorsement necessarily? What do you mean by that?
PHIL BOAS, EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, ARIZONA REPUBLICAN: It's a very enthusiastic endorsement. We look at Romney as one of the most accomplished people to ever run for president. I mean, you look at his lifetime achievements, he has done things. He has probably four of five signature achievements in his life that would be individually a crowning achievement for most of us in our lives. So he's done a lot of things. It's not just talking about it. He's actually gone and marshalled resources and made things happen and led. And we think that's significant.
FEYERICK: But, sir, do you think, obviously we're looking at two states. We're looking at Michigan. We're looking at Arizona. In Michigan it appears that Mr. Romney is having a difficult time connecting with the middle class. Is that going to be the case in Arizona? Or do you see it as somewhat different?
BOAS: Arizona is a lot different. Arizona is anti-climactic right now. Romney has a big lead near the double digits in polls. And also a lot the votes -- about 200,000 votes have already been were banked in this election back when Romney was enjoying big leads as well, so well before the Santorum surge. So it's not looking to be close in Arizona at all. There's probably a lot more attention on Michigan right now.
FEYERICK: And yet, at the same time, why do you think Republicans are having so much trouble closing the deal? Why do you think that Romney is having so much trouble closing the deal with the Republicans he's trying to reach? Is it just because he's trying to reach too many diverse groups?
BOAS: No. We put our candidates through a national hazing. We beat them up a lot. And Romney is in a bad position where he doesn't have the conservative press taking us back and giving him cover at all. So he has the conservative press going after him. He has the national media, who is very tough on him. He has the Democrats aiming at him. He has all of these opponents going after him. So it's a lot of fire to take. Go ahead.
FEYERICK: Well, Phil Boas, we really appreciate it. We're running out of time with some breaking news now. But we do thank you for your time. We want to tell all of our viewers out there that you should join us tomorrow night for America's choice 2012. We are going to be following the Arizona and Michigan primaries with a special edition of "JOHN KING USA". That's at 6:00 eastern.
And then complete live coverage of results starting at 7:00 eastern with Wolf Blitzer and, of course, the best political team on television.
We are continuing to follow the school shooting near cleveland. We're going to have an update coming up. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FEYERICK: Five Ohio high school students are shot. A lone gunman now in custody and a community reeling. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She texted me and said there's been a shooting and I'm in a closet. But don't worry. I said, just keep texting me. So that's what we're doing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My son's over there and I have a daughter here in middle school. And I'm waiting to get them out. And I just want to get them home.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: I'm Deborah Feyerick. "CNN NEWSROOM" continues now with Susan Malveaux live in Phoenix, Arizona -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Deb.
