Authorities say one student was killed following a shooting and massive police response at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem.
Police are actively seeking the suspect, officials said in a statement Wednesday afternoon.
The school was forced to lock down Wednesday, according to a statement from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. Early reports indicate multiple shots were fired at the school.
The sheriff’s office and the Winston-Salem Police Department have secured the campus, according to the statement, but there doesn’t appear to be a suspect in custody.
Officials confirmed that all other students were safe.
Parents can now report to the Harris Teeter at Whitaker Square shopping center off Peace Haven Road to be reunited with their children.
“We have no confirmed information of any other shootings or injuries,” police said in a statement.
Frantazia Hines said she was on the phone with her sister, a student at Mount Tabor, shortly after noon. She said she heard multiple gunshots fired at the school.
Tammy Moore was among a group of parents gathered at Polo and Petree Roads.
“This is crazy. I’m just trying to find my baby,” Moore said.
She spoke to her grandson, Elonza Day, and he told her that he got pushed into a locker room when the shooting started. He was unharmed.
Her daughter recently moved from Philadelphia because she thought Winston-Salem would be safer, “and then this happened.”
Shashua Patterson spoke with her ninth-grader, Nabria Varner, was nearby the scene where gunfire broke out. Patterson said her daughter was headed toward the gym and started running as soon she heard gunshots.
She took shelter in the girl’s locker room and was unharmed.
Reynolds High School was also put under lockdown around 2 p.m. following concerns on social media that the shooter was allegedly headed there.
Parents were lined up in front of the school, only to find that the school was locked down, that their children were inside in the classroom, that they couldn’t pick up their kids until police could give the all clear.
Police were stationed around the school, but their was no evidence on any issues. Still, parents were worried.
Jessica Perez said her daughter Elaina, who is a freshman, was texting her from inside the classroom. She said they were told to be quiet and not make any noise.
“She said that some kids were crying and wanting their parents, but they are not letting anyone leave,” Jessica Perez said.
Some parents were visibly angry as they stood outside Reynolds High School. One parent was heard shouting she wanted her child out of the school.
Gov. Roy Cooper issued a statement after the shooting at Mount Tabor.
“For the second time this week, we have seen a shooting in a North Carolina school,” Cooper said. “Our prayers are with the victims, their families and all the students of Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem. I have been briefed by law enforcement and the Department of Public Safety is ready to provide any support necessary. We must work to ensure the safety of students and educators, quickly apprehend the shooter and keep guns off school grounds.”
More details to come.
PHOTOS: Shooting at Mount Tabor in Winston-Salem
Distraught parents waited for information after police responded to Mt. Tabor High School after a shooting on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.
Allison Isley
Parents wait in the Whitaker Square Shopping Mall at Robinhood and Polo roads in the hours after police responded to Mt. Tabor High School. A shooting was reported about noon on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.
Allison Isley
Law enforcement officers take cover after reports of a gunshot off Whitaker Road following a shooting at Mount Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021. The shooter remained at large.
Allison Isley
Officers talked with a woman gathered in the parking of Whitaker Square Shopping Mall waiting on information after a shooting at Mt. Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.
Allison Isley
Officers gather after reports of a shooting at Mt. Tabor High School on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2021.
