McKees Rocks, Pa. — A student was shot Tuesday afternoon outside Sto-Rox High School in McKees Rocks, Channel 11’s Gordon Loesch confirmed.
Allegheny County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Kevin Kraus said the shooting happened off school property, and the victim then ran into the school for help before being taken to a hospital.%
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Terry DeCarbo, the district’s superintendent said dozens of students, who were being dismissed from school, were outside when the victim was shot around 2:15 p.m.
"It's sad in today's time and age that we have to go through this kind of process, and nobody's immune,” DeCarbo said.
Family members told Channel 11 News that the student is expected to be OK. Channel 11's Rick Earle confirmed the student was shot in the arm.
Channel 11’s Courtney Brennan reported that a search began immediately after the shooting in the area of Highland Avenue and Spencer Way in McKees Rocks.
Authorities brought in K-9s and focused their search on a wooded hillside, where an officer at the scene said it was believed the shooter ran and either hid or fled the area completely.
Brennan reported that the Allegheny Bomb Squad also arrived at the scene and suited up to assist in the search. As of 11 p.m. Wednesday, no one was in connection with the shooting.
While police wouldn’t say anything about a possible motive, sources told Channel 11 News that the shooting was a targeted retaliation attack.
All after-school programs were canceled at Sto-Rox High School Tuesday, and all classes at the high school have been canceled for Wednesday.
However, the district's elementary and middle school will be operating on a normal schedule. School officials said police will be visible at both buildings to assure students and parents of their presence.
The high school should be opened on Thursday, and counselors will be available to speak with students and staff in need at that time, school officials said.