New Mexico state police held a news conference on Tuesday night to give new details on the 12-year-old boy who is suspected of opening fire at the Berrendo Middle School in Roswell. Two children were injured during the shooting and both are hospitalized.
The shooting took place before 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. The injured are a 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl, who are being treated at a Lubbock, Texas hospital. The suspect was arrested at the scene.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the children were still in critical condition as of last night’s press conference, although the girl’s condition has since been upgraded to satisfactory. Although the boy’s identity was not released, the girl’s family said her name is Kendal Sanders.
“I believe we have the only individual in custody right now that’s responsible for this,” State Police Chief Pete Kassetas said, reports CBS News. He said that police are in “direct contact” with the suspect’s parents.
The suspect is a 12-year-old boy in seventh grade. He is being represented by Albuquerque attorney Robert Gorence, who said his family will release a statement on Wednesday. The Journal reported that he was identified as Mason Campbell and is in a psychiatric hospital currently.
Gov. Susana Martinez also spoke at the press conference, praising teacher John Masterson, who talked to the suspect, getting him to give up. She added that a staff member at the school did suffer minor injuries.
“I ask that all New Mexicans join us in praying for the families, praying for the kids, Martinez said.
“In the 10 seconds that transpired from the time of this thing starting until the teacher had control of the weapon, there was no cowardice,” Superintendent Tom Burris said, notes the Associated Press. “There was protection for our kids. Everyone acted and did their duties today at Berrendo Middle School.”
image: Wikimedia Commons
