Columbus Police say an armed suspect was arrested without incident by SWAT officers at Scioto High School, after responding to reports of an active shooter.
A shooter was reported at the school, on South High Street in Columbus, at 8:33 a.m. on Friday morning.
Chief Kim Jacobs in a press briefing that a staff member was able to talk to the armed suspect inside the school.
"A staff member was able to reach the suspect, or the suspect came towards the staff member, and was able to talk to him while he was still armed and at least calm him down long enough for us to take him into custody," Jacobs said.
Columbus Police identified the suspect as Adan Abdullahi, 18. He was arrested just before 9 a.m. and charged with a second degree felony of improperly discharging a firearm in a school safety zone.
"From the time of the first contact, within 25 minutes the suspect in this particular situation was apprehended by our officers," Jacobs said. "So right now the scene is being held to investigate what we have as a report of shots fired."
Police did not explain what Abdullahi's motive was.
Jacobs said the building was cleared and they're investigating if any shots were fired at all. Columbus Police spokesperson Denise Alex-Bouzounis says no students or faculty were injured.
The school describes itself as designed to serve "emotionally disturbed" students in grades 6-12.
Columbus City Schools said that classes have been canceled for the day, and that students have been transported to Linmoor Education Center on Hamilton Ave. Parents can pick up children there, with ID.
"Excellent job by our officers!" tweeted Columbus Police.
"Thank you to Columbus Police and all officers on the scene for your swift work this morning and always," tweeted Sen. Sherrod Brown after the incident.
Columbus Police said they have previously responded to calls from Columbus-Scioto, but would not say how it compared to other high schools.
CPD ARRESTS ACTIVE SCHOOL SHOOTER W/OUT INCIDENT: 18yo Adan Abdullahi is charged w/improperly discharging firearm in a school safety zone. pic.twitter.com/4w59Z8IJeU
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 8, 2017
UPDATE: Cols Scioto 6-12 students safely transported to Linmoor Ed Ctr at 2001 Hamilton Ave. Families can pick up students there with ID.
— Columbus City Schools (@ColsCitySchools) September 8, 2017
Classes at Columbus-Scioto have been canceled following this morning's incident. pic.twitter.com/67pNunwbIi
— WOSU News (@wosunews) September 8, 2017
ACTIVE SHOOTER LATEST 9:45am 9/8: 1 suspect arrested, gun taken, no injuries reported.
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 8, 2017
First call@8:33AM. Arrest@8:58 AM. Awesome teamwork! pic.twitter.com/l8O8wvMDEW
NEWS: Students and staff safe following incident this morning at Cols Scioto 6-12. Parents should not come to school. More details coming.
— Columbus City Schools (@ColsCitySchools) September 8, 2017
*Please RT* UPDATE 9:15am: SWAT made an arrest, gun taken, no injuries. Excellent job by our officers! #TogetherIsBetter #CPD https://t.co/m4B8eYxNB1
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 8, 2017
ACTIVE SHOOTER AT SCHOOL:An active shooter has been reported at Scioto High School@S. High St. Please stay out of the area.#CPD
— Columbus Ohio Police (@ColumbusPolice) September 8, 2017
Last updated: 3:51 p.m. This post will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
