Police Press Conference: Teacher, Campus Supervisor Convinced 16-Year-Old Suspected Taft Union High School Shooter to Put Down His Gun

Donny Youngblood, Kern County Sheriff, held a press conference moments ago to report the latest in the shooting at Taft Union High School in Taft, California.

Youngblood said that the suspect is a 16-year-old student who didn’t show up for school this morning. He interrupted a class of 28 students, armed with a shotgun. He then fired the first round, striking another student, who police believe was one of the gunman’s intended targets. This 16-year-old is in critical condition. The suspected shooter then tried to shoot a second student, who police say was another intended target, but missed.

The teacher and campus supervisor tried to escort the other students out of the room, at the same time engaging the shooter, who had numerous rounds in his pockets.

At one point, the suspect put his gun down and police were able to take him into custody.

Sheriff Youngblood spoke about the teacher and campus supervisor’s bravery, saying, “To stand there and face someone who has a shotgun who has already discharged it and shot a student, that speaks volumes for these two young men and what they may have prevented.”

The teacher received a wound to the head.

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