One teenager was killed and two others were in critical condition after a shooting on Monday afternoon outside a high school in Des Moine, Iowa.  A 15-year-old boy did not survive his injuries, said Des Moines Fire Department spokesperson Ahman Douglass. Two others, a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old girl, were hospitalized in critical condition.

The shooting happened outside on the East High School campus. It has not been confirmed whether the victims were students at the school. East Principal Jill Versteeg said “I think we can all agree an event like this is everyone’s worst nightmare. Tonight, hug your students and love them.”  A statement from Des Moines Public Schools said that East High School will be closed Tuesday, adding: “The DMPS grief team will be available at East High for students and staff beginning tomorrow through the remainder of the week. School counselors will be available at our other schools for students who need additional support.”

Des Moines confirmed the shooting took place on school grounds, but outside the main building before 3 p.m on Monday.  Des Moines Police Sgt. Paul Parizek said potential suspects were detained, but no charges had been filed as of press time: “We’ve got some potential suspects detained. That will be a piece that moves through the night that we’re going to have to be working on. The kids in that school are our community’s most precious cargo. So the medics and the firefighters did an outstanding job getting up here.”

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