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Sheriff: Md. school shooter killed self

The shot fired by the SRO, Blaine Gaskill, struck the gun in the shooter’s hand

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Police move students into a different area of Great Mills High School, the scene of a shooting, Tuesday morning, March 20, 2018 in Great Mills, Md.

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Associated Press

GREAT MILLS, Md. — Authorities say the student who fatally shot a female classmate at a Maryland high school died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Monday that 17-year-old Austin Rollins fired one fatal shot to his head.

The sheriff’s office says Rollins killed himself during a confrontation with a school resource officer who also fired his weapon. It says the shot fired by the officer, sheriff’s deputy Blaine Gaskill, struck the gun in Rollins’ hand.

The shooting occurred Tuesday at Great Mills High School, about 65 miles (104 kilometers) southeast of Washington. A 16-year-old student, Jaelynn Willey, died Thursday after being taken off life support.

A 14-year-old boy who was shot in the thigh during the encounter was released from a hospital.