Police responded to reports of shots fired near Lowellville Schools at 10:15 am Thursday. Lowellville police and other police departments including Campbell, Boardman, Coitsville, and Austintown were dispatched to the scene and are investigating the incident. The school is located at 52 Rocket place in Lowellville.

Officials on scene say the incident happened just as the school finished conducting an active shooter drill, otherwise known as ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) training.

Investigators say that the incident happened in the cafeteria during a lunch period. Only one person was confirmed to be hurt.

At 10:52 am, an all-call went out to parents by Superintendent Geno Thomas in the district confirming a self-inflicted gunshot by a student happened within the school building. All other students are safe the call said.

According to the school, grief counselors will at the school on Friday. The district is asking anyone who saw anything or may have any information about the shooting to call the school or Lowellville or local law enforcement.

Parents were notified of early dismissal and the pick-up procedures for students.

 

 

 

The school posted on its website 'LSD: law enforcement will escort all students to the football stadium to release to parents. Please be patient as we get all students into the stadium. We will let groups of parents in to pick up students from the stadium once they are all inside. In order to pick up your child you will have to enter by enertech on conti drive. You will be let in by law enforcement down to the field area and leave the campus with your child on state route 289 by the bus garage.'

"Words can't describe when you watch your child walkout. I kept telling them and all their friends that I had never been happier to see them. Parents were talking...this is stuff that happens other places, not to you," Angel Laudermilt, a Lowellville parent said.

Lowellville school is a K-12 school building with over 500 students attending school. It is unclear how many students saw the shooting, or what they may have witnessed.

Posts on social media are asking for community support for all during this time.

Superintendent Thomas says school, as well as Thursday's track meet will be canceled on Friday, and the district will be discussing the possible cancelation of prom later in the evening.

Thomas says mental health counseling for students will be available at the school Friday morning. Students should use the front entrance.

Law enforcement officials say that one person at the scene was in custody, but would not confirm why.

"There's no way you can prepare for a situation like this, however we were as prepared as we could be. The response of the local jurisdiction that came here was both immediate and complete," Lowellville Police Chief Rick Alli said.

Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville announced on its Facebook page that it has opened the church for the community until 8:00 p.m. Thursday night for everyone and anyone who needs a quiet place.

Anyone needing help or assistance is encouraged to reach out to the Mahoning County Mental and Recovery Board by calling 2-1-1 or visiting its website.

21 News team is at the scene and will be getting more information as it becomes available.