2 dead in California school attack; gunman shoots self

Santa Clarita US A student gunman has opened fire at a Southern California high school killing two students and wounding three others before he was captured in grave condition after shooting himself in the head authorities saidThe shooting occurred around 730 am local time on Thursday at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita about 30 miles 48 kilometers northwest of downtown Los AngelesShauna Orandi 16 said she was in her Spanish class doing homework when she heard four gunshots that she initially mistook as instruments from a band class She said a student burst into the room saying hed seen the gunman and her classmates were stunned into silenceMy worst nightmare actually came true she said later as she left a nearby park with her father This is it Im gonna dieFreshman Rosie Rodriguez said she was walking up the library stairs when she heard noises that sounded like balloons popping She realized they were gunshots when she saw other students running Still carrying a backpack laden with books she ran across the street to a home where a person she didnt know gave shelter to her and about 10 other studentsI just heard a lot of kids crying We were scared Rodriguez said On a normal day she said Saugus High School felt very safeWe never really thought this would happen in our school she saidLos Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said six people were shot including the 16yearold student suspect Thursday was his birthday No details were released on a motiveA video of the shooting shows the gunman shooting himself in the head Authorities say he was carrying a 45 caliber handgunThe two students who died were 16 and 14 Their names were not releasedSaugus High School and other schools in the area were locked downTelevision images showed deputies swarming the school and several people being moved on gurneys Lines of students were escorted from the school by armed deputiesAnxious parents were awaiting reunification with their children in a park near the high schoolLos Angeles County Undersheriff Tim Murakami has tweeted an apology to the parents saying investigators needed to interview the students before they could be releasedOrandi said she Has heard about so many school shootings that she always assumed shed panic in such a momentBut she said she stayed calm thanks to the help of her teacher who locked down the classroomThe shots rang out bang pop and Orandi said she heard people yelling and running Students in the classroom started crying and hugging one anotherI just couldnt believe it was happening Orandi saidShe was escorted from the classroom to the school gym and later picked up by her father Hamid OrandiShe burst out crying like crazy but I felt better because I knew the danger was gone he said Its one of those random things you always have to worry about His daughter said she would probably go home and vomit from the stressStudent Sharon Orelana Cordova told KNBCTV she hid under a table in a nurses office until officers came to get herWhen I got out I saw this person lying on the ground with blood all over she saidCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever