By Sarah Brumfield, The Associated Press
Randallstown, Md. (AP) -- Gunfire erupted at a Baltimore County high school Friday afternoon, injuring four students who were leaving a charity basketball game, a police official said.
The students were treated by emergency crews at Randallstown High School, said Baltimore County Battalion Chief Michael Robinson. Officials initially reported five people were injured.
Three students with life-threatening injuries were taken to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, said Jenny Delauter, a nursing coordinator. The fourth person was taken to Sinai Hospital, a nurse said.
“This is a street crime that just happened on school grounds,” Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. told WBAL-TV.
The students stayed after school to support a charity event, and “they were shot down,” Smith said.
Witnesses told police a car with about four people inside pulled up to the school and the driver and a passenger got out of the car, police spokesman Bill Toohey said.
The driver shot the gun four or five times, then handed it to the passenger, who also fired. One of the four people from the car fled by foot after being left in the parking lot when the vehicle sped off, Toohey said.
Witnesses saw a black BMW with tinted glass windows leave the scene about 4:30 p.m., said Cpl. John Young, a police dispatcher said.
A car matching the description was found nearby and a man was taken into custody, a witness told WMAR-TV.
When asked if police had a suspect in custody, Toohey said, “We’re talking to one person.”
Smith said two suspects were in custody and one is an adult.
A woman who answered the telephone at the school’s main office said school officials could not comment because “clearly, they are trying to contact families.” She would not identify herself or her position.
Randallstown High School is located in the northwest area of Baltimore County. It has 1,700 students and a staff of 115, according to the Baltimore County public schools Web site.
The shooting occurred outside the school after a charity basketball game involving state lawmakers was held. Toohey said the shooters did not appear to be targeting the lawmakers.
About 300 students attended the game that state Delegate Bobby Zirkin organized to raise money for scholarships, Smith said.
Anxious parents waited outside the school, blocked from entering by police tape. Deborah Lee of Randallstown said she was waiting for her daughter, Sarah, to finish talking with investigators.
She said the 16-year-old junior had attended the game, then called to tell her mom the game was over and it was time to pick her up. Shortly afterward, Sarah called back to say people had been shot. She told her mother that she witnessed at least one of the shootings.
“I’m sure they’re going to need counseling,” Lee said of the students. “They saw those people get shot.”
Baltimore County School Superintendent Joe Hairston said they “stand poised to give all available support” to the school’s community of students, teachers and staff.
“This is a responsible community,” he said. “They care about their children and they care about their community.”