Two people died following a mass shooting at a St. Louis High School on Monday morning. 

According to ABC News, the shooter was a 19-year-old graduate of the Missouri school and was armed with an AR-15-style rifle. He was carrying over 600 rounds of ammunition when he opened fire. Seven others were left wounded but are reportedly in stable condition.

NPR Midwest News Journalist, shared to Twitter that she was on the road while this was happening.

Authorities responded to calls about shots going off at approximately 9:25 a.m. on October 24, at 3125 S. Kingshighway.  According to St. Louis Police Chief Michael Sack, just minutes after the police entered Central Visual and Performing Arts High School, the shooter was killed in a gunfire exchange with police.

It has been confirmed by family members that one of the victims was Jean Kuczka, who was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.  Her daughter, Abbey, told STLPR that she was a health and physical education teacher at CVPA for the past 20 years, and has been teaching for 38 with St. Louis Public Schools.

The other victim was identified by friends and family as Alexandria Bell (15).  Bell’s father, who resides in California, told STL Today, that he was still trying to figure out what happened, and her mother, Keisha Acres was devastated, and in disbelief.  She also shared with the news outlet that while the tragic event was happening, her daughter’s phone location still showed she was inside the school and she had no word from her.

“I have no clue what happened, but I just know my daughter is missing,” she woefully shared. “I can’t find her. She’s not answering her phone. It’s going straight to voicemail. Everybody’s leaving, and my baby is not found,” she added.

Friends, family and teachers said Bell loved art and was always smiling whenever they saw her.

The other seven victims are all teenagers and are reportedly in stable condition, according to Sack.  The victims are between the ages of 15 and 16.  Sack has listed their injuries below:

A 16-year-old female, who was shot in the leg.

A 16-year-old male, who was shot in the leg.

A 15-year-old male, who was shot in both hands and his jaw.

A 15-year-old male, who was shot in the arm.

A 15-year-old female, who had cuts on her face and knee.

A 16-year-old female, who suffered a fractured ankle.

A 16-year-old male, who had cuts on his face.

In the first briefing at approximately 11:15 a.m. Sack expressed his sentiments regarding the traumatic experience that survivors now have to live with.

“This is a heartbreaking day for all of us,” Sack said in the first briefing around 11:15 a.m. “While on paper there are nine victims, everyone who survived here is going to take home trauma,” he said.

At an update briefing, Monday afternoon, the shooter was identified by officials as Orlando Harris, a 2021 graduate of the school.  Sack noted that Harris had no prior criminal behavior or history, however, shared that he may have been experiencing mental illness.

Following the briefing yesterday, in a news conference Tuesday, it was discovered that Harris left a handwritten note in his car professing his desire to carry out the school shooting.  Sack said Harris’ note read:

“I don’t have any friends, I don’t have any family, I’ve never had a girlfriend, I’ve never had a social life.” Sack also mentioned that Harris called himself an “isolated loner,” which sounds like a “perfect storm for a mass shooter.”

The Police commissioner said the death toll could have been much more drastic.  He confirmed that the shooter carried seven high-capacity magazines of ammunition on a chest rig, and eight additional in a bag when confronted by officials.

“This doesn’t include the number of magazines that he left dumped on the stairway in the corridors along the way,” he continued.

Police did not specify how the gunman was able to enter the building, adding that the school’s doors were all locked.  According to school officials, he did not enter the school through a checkpoint.

St. Louis Schools Superintendent Kelvin Adams stated that there were seven security guards in the school and they identified the suspect’s efforts to gain entry and immediately informed other staff.

At a press conference on Monday, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary addressed the grievous incident saying there needs to be more action to stop the gun violence.

“Every day that the Senate fails to send assault weapons ban to the president’s desk, or waits to take … other commonsense actions, is a day too late for our families and communities impacted by gun violence,” she expressed to reporters.

The Mayor of St. Louis, Tishaura Jones said she previously visited students when the school year began.

“They were bright-eyed bushy-tailed. We laughed, we sang, we danced. And now to be here for such a devastating and traumatic situation breaks my heart,” she shared. “I’m heartbroken for these families who send their children to our schools hoping that they will be safe. Our children shouldn’t have to experience this,” added Jones.

Sack encouraged anyone to notify the police at Tuesday’s news conference, if they are “aware of an individual who appears to be suffering from some kind of mental illness or distress,” and has thoughts of purchasing guns or causing harm.

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