The gun that was brought by a 12-year-old girl to Salvador Castro Middle School was inside a backpack when it discharged, injuring two students, police confirmed Friday.
The campus is on lockdown as police conducted a search of the middle school, according to LAPD.
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent Vivian Ekchian told reporters she was "incredibly saddened by the fact that it happened".
A 12-year-old girl has been arrested following a school shooting in Los Angeles. One, a boy, was in critical but stable condition after being shot in the head, and the second, a girl, was in fair condition after she was shot in the wrist. Officer Madison said that the motive was unknown. Zipperman stressed that if the investigation determined the student obtained it from an adult in a home where it wasn't properly stored, there could be additional prosecution.
Three others - a lady and two youngsters - were being dealt with for minor cuts, including some from glass, Scott said.
Earlier reports said police were also investigating whether the shooting was somehow accidental.
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School district officials say the school is now safe, and that the entire community remains on alert.
Officials initially said they had the suspect, a female student, in custody; however, the student is now described as a person of interest.
Claudia Anzueto, whose 12-year-old son knows the suspect, said there are no metal detectors at the school.
LAPD Officer Tony Im said the girl had been arrested in connection with the shooting, but said an announcement on the exact charges and where she was being held were forthcoming. However, the police spokesman, Josh Rubenstein said that the authorities are believing that the girl didn't intend to open fire but the gun accidentally went off.
Speaking to KTLA, Lopez said her sister texted that she was OK, but had "just heard something pop inside the classroom". Download it today and continue to enjoy STV News wherever you are.
The school has about 365 students in grades 6 through 8 and most are Hispanic-Americans and many from low-income families.