LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and two injured in a shooting Monday at a Nevada middle school, in west United States, school officials said.
According to police update, one person killed Monday morning at Sparks Middle School was a teacher and the other is what authorities described as a student/suspect.
Two Sparks Middle School students have identified a popular math teacher as one of the victims of the shooting, Washoe County School District Police Chief Mike Mieras told a press conference.
The shooting happened at around 7:15 a.m. local time (GMT 1475) when classes were starting at Sparks Middle School, outside of Reno, Nevada, Sparks police said.
The shooter was believed to have been 'neutralized,' according to Sparks police spokesman Rocky Triplett.
Angela Rambo, spokeswoman for Renown Regional Hospital said they have received two male patients, both minors, and both are in critical condition.
Students have been evacuated to Agnes Risley Elementary School while classes were canceled at Risley and Sparks Middle School, Washoe County School District officials said, adding that parents are being allowed to pick up children, but they must present photo identification.
Sparks Middle School will be closed for the remainder of the week, school officials said.
The emergency code at Sparks Middle School has been lifted after Sparks Police Department declared the school safe. There is an ongoing investigation.
Governor of Nevada Brian Sandoval issued a statement after the shooting, offering his prayer "to the victims and those affected by these tragic events." He said his administration was receiving regular updates and the Nevada Highway Patrol was assisting at the scene.
Nevada Senator Harry Reid also sent a message of condolence to the victims.
"No words of condolence could possibly ease the pain, but I hope it is some small comfort that Nevada mourns with them. I stand by to be of any assistance if there is anything that can be done and I will continue to monitor the situation," Reid said.
