An Oxford High School student who allegedly killed three students and injured eight others on Tuesday likely used a handgun purchased by his father on Black Friday, according to what Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said on Tuesday.
The student was taken into custody along with a 9mm Sig Sauer SP 2022 handgun, the Detroit Free Press reported. The suspect had at least two 15-round magazines, with seven remaining rounds when he was apprehended, according to Bouchard’s press conference.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was purchased on November 26th, four days ago by the boy’s father. The gun had 15 round magazines. We found two of them. There allegedly was three… more than likely that third magazine will be found there,” Bouchard noted.
WATCH LIVE: The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office is holding a 10 p.m. press conference providing an update on the deadly mass shooting at Oxford High School. https://t.co/FCSZ8DG7SB
— WXYZ Detroit (@wxyzdetroit) December 1, 2021
At least 12 shots were fired, based on shell casings found at the school. Earlier reports noted 15 to 20 rounds had been fired during the shooting.
Information regarding the location of the handgun purchased was not made known to the public. Images of the alleged gun have been seen online.
“It’s my understanding, again, that this was a recent weapon purchase, that he had been shooting with it, and they posted pictures,” Bouchard noted.
The suspect has not yet been named because he is a minor. The suspect is currently being held at a local juvenile detention facility and has declined to speak to law enforcement regarding motives.
The names of the three victims were also released on Tuesday. They included Tate Myre, a 16-year-old football player, who died in a sheriff’s deputy’s car while traveling to the hospital; Hana St. Juliana, 14; and Madisyn Baldwin, 17.
It is with great grief that one of the victims of the tragic event at OHS today was one of our own, Tate Myre. Tate was on varsity since his freshman year and was an honor student. Tate was a great young man with a bright future and beloved by all. You will be missed, Tate 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/AKJCH1UWBG
— Oxford Football (@OxfordFootbalI) December 1, 2021
The names of those injured have not been released. The Detroit Free Press reported that among the injured were seven students in addition to a 47-year-old teacher.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a statement on the shooting Tuesday evening saying, “My heart breaks for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Oxford High School. The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others, including a teacher, is horrific. I want to thank the first responders on the ground working hard to keep people safe as law enforcement officials investigate this shooting and get the community the help it needs right now.”
.@GovWhitmer on the shooting: “My heart breaks for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Oxford High School.” pic.twitter.com/mPmgvr3fEU
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) November 30, 2021
President Joe Biden also shared his condolences following the shooting, sharing, “My heart goes out to the families of all those in Oxford, Michigan experiencing the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one. I’m remaining in close touch with my team as new information about this tragic school shooting surfaces.”