Authorities say a teenager killed his father at his South Carolina home before opening fire at a nearby elementary school and injuring two students and a teacher on Wednesday afternoon.
The teenage suspect was not identified but authorities said his father, 47-year-old Jeffrey Dwight Osborne, was found dead at his home after the shooting was reported at Townsville Elementary School in Anderson County.
Authorities said the shooting at the school, located about two miles from Mr. Osborne’s home, took place around 1:45 p.m. as students were outside on the playground.
One student was shot in the foot, the other in the leg. The female teacher was shot in the shoulder. All three were taken to local hospitals where they are being treated for injuries.
It was not clear whether the shooter had any connection to the students or teacher injured at the school. Officials are still working to determine the motive in the shooting, but noted that race does not appear to be a factor as all the victims and the shooter are all white.
“There are no racial undertones there, there is no terrorism involved,” said Capt. Garland Major, of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said the teenage boy was taken into custody at the school and they do not believe anyone else was involved in the shooting.
• Andrea Noble can be reached at anoble@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.