GREAT MILLS, Md. (AP) - In the latest school shooting in America, the gunfire was over and done with in less than a minute.
This time, the shooter, a 17-year-old student, was killed. A 16-year-old girl, who authorities said had some type of relationship with the shooter, was critically injured. A 14-year-old boy was also wounded.
Tuesday's shooting occurred at Great Mills High School in southern Maryland, about 60 miles south of the nation's capital. It came a month after 17 people were killed at a Florida high school.
The shooter was identified as Austin Rollins, a student at Great Mills. It wasn't clear whether he shot himself or was shot by the school resource officer who responded.
St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron credited the officer with preventing any more loss of life.
Vigil
Neighbors in a nearby community prayed for their friends and colleagues during a small vigil following a shooting at southern Maryland school.
Holding candles and singing hymns, religious leaders from different denominations prayed together Tuesday night in Lexington Park for the victims at Great Mills High School.
On a "prayer wall" at The Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park, people came by and wrote in chalk anonymous prayers for the families and students affected by the shooting. One message said, "Lord, help the parents of the shooter to find hope and peace in you." Another said, "Please choose love."
The Rev. Greg Syler, the church's leader and originator of the interdenominational vigil, said bringing the community together was the first thing he thought about once he heard about the shooting.
