Breaking News: Middle School Student Shoots Himself At School

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A seventh grader in Ohio shot himself in a school bathroom early on Tuesday, authorities have confirmed.

The student shot himself at approximately 7:50 a.m. at Jackson Memorial Middle School in the male’s restroom.

The student’s condition was not immediately known.

Police later searched the backpack of the student and found items that could be used to make an improvised explosive device, according to WEWS.

However, authorities said  during a press conference that the material was meant purely for distraction, and could not cause any harm.

Investigators have not confirmed if the shooting was accidental or intentional.

The middle school and high school in Jackson Township are were in lockdown as a precaution, according to the school district. Extracurricular activities were cancelled for the day.

“A Jackson Memorial Middle School student suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound this morning,” the school district said on Tuesday. “Safety Services are on the scene at this time. The Middle School and High School are on lockdown at this time. Students will be released to their parents in the near future. All four elementary schools will remain closed for today.”

Many concerned parents gathered outside of the school looking for information.

What a way to start your day,” one father told the Repository.

There are about 1,400 students in the school, the largest middle school in Stark County, according to the Repository.

“It’s hard as a parent not knowing what’s going on, and you’re hearing it from other sources,” middle school parent Jennifer Moore told the newspaper. “You don’t know what’s true and what’s rumor. I don’t know how my daughter is handling it. I don’t know if she’ll feel safe coming back to school tomorrow. You never think it will come to your little town. I always thought Jackson was a safe place.”