Two shot at Noblesville West Middle School


NOBLESVILLE, Ind. -- Shots were fired inside a second floor classroom at Noblesville West Middle School Friday morning. A teacher and a student were shot and another student is in custody.

Members of the Noblesville community say they never thought it would happen there.

"A few days ago I was like this would never happen at our school," said Taylor Caldwell, a freshman at Noblesville High School.

Students and parents were in shock when news broke of the shooting.

"Usually everybody at our school is usually pretty friendly to everybody. You haven't really heard about bullying or anything at our school but happens everywhere," said Tristen Moore, a student at West Noblesville Middle School.

Gun violence in school is becoming more and more common

"Here we go again. Here we go again. And it's just really, really, really unfortunate," Douglas Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent.

Students say they ran when they heard "School shooter" over the loud speaker at West Noblesville Middle School.

"We were all running through the fields and headed to Fox Prairie Golf Course," Moore said.

They hid there until buses took the students to Noblesville High School where they were released 10 students at a time to worried parents.

"I guess we're just wondering how this is going to impact the kids," said Carlene Southworth, the grandmother of a middle school student. "I'll feel a lot better when I see her."

A community forever changed by gun violence.

"I want something to change because now that I know that it could happen at the school I go to its scary to think that walking down the halls at any moment it could happen," Caldwell said.

The teacher was taken to Methodist Hospital and the student was taken to Riley Children's Hospital. We have not received any updates on their conditions, but WRTV is reporting both were awake and in good spirits Friday afternoon.


Gov. Eric J. Holcomb offered the following statement on the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School:

“Speaker Bosma, Pro Tem Long and I are monitoring the situation at Noblesville West Middle School from the air on our return trip to Indianapolis from Europe. Approximately 100 state police officers have been made available to work with local responders and will offer all assistance needed. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this horrible situation.”

Superintendent McCormick's statement on the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School

“Today an unfortunate shooting at a school has occurred in Indiana. State Superintendent Dr. Jennifer McCormick is in contact with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and is actively monitoring the situation. We have confidence in Noblesville Schools Superintendent Dr. Beth Niedermeyer and her team, law enforcement, and first responders. The Department stands ready to provide guidance and support, and we will provide further statements as information unfolds.”

Congressman Todd Rokita released this statement on the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School:

“Hoosiers are standing strong with the Noblesville community. We continue to pray for and support Noblesville West Middle School and the student and teacher who are currently hospitalized,” said Congressman Todd Rokita. “I commend our first-responders who swiftly and diligently worked together to keep the students and faculty safe."

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch offered the following statement on the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School:

"My sincerest thoughts and prayers go out to the Noblesville community. Indiana remains committed to the safety and protection of our young people and I can not thank our law enforcement agencies enough for their swift action in this matter."

Attorney General Curtis Hill released the following statement in response to the shooting at Noblesville West Middle School:

“The epidemic of violence sweeping across American schools has now come to Indiana. While we await additional information on the school incident in Noblesville this morning, we must brace ourselves for the reality that our schools and our children are under siege by an unspeakable wave of terror that is taking full advantage of our open and free society.

“School safety plans, resource officers, red flag laws and hardened targets are vital to the defense of our schools and our children.  “While we all join in prayer for the victims and their families, we must continue on the path of identifying the best and most comprehensive ways to protect our schools and prevent these tragedies.”

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