ROSWELL, N.M.

Boy, 12, opens fire in school, wounding two classmates

A 12-year-old New Mexico boy drew a shotgun from a band-instrument case and shot and wounded two classmates at his middle school Tuesday morning before a teacher talked him into dropping the weapon and he was taken into custody, officials and witnesses said.

A boy, 11, was critically injured and a girl, 13, was in satisfactory condition following the shooting at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell.

Gov. Susana Martinez said the students were in the gym, where they typically hang out before classes start during cold and inclement weather. The 12-year-old pulled a shotgun and opened fire at about 8 a.m.

However, he was “quickly stopped by one staff member who walked right up to him and asked him to set down the firearm, which he did,” Martinez said at a news conference.

Superintendent Tom Burris said the school’s faculty had participated in “active shooter” training, and they responded appropriately Tuesday.

“In the 10 seconds that transpired from the time of this thing starting until the teacher had control of the weapon, there was no cowardice,” Burris said. “There was protection for our kids. Everyone acted and did their duties today at Berrendo Middle School.”

TULSA, Okla.

Federal judge strikes down ban on same-sex marriage

A federal judge ruled Tuesday that Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, the latest in a string of recent court decisions that have challenged such state prohibitions.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Terence Kern is stayed pending appeal, meaning marriages will not take place immediately in Oklahoma.

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla.

Accused theater shooter feared ‘being attacked’

A 71-year-old retired police officer accused of shooting a man dead in a Florida movie theater told authorities that “he was in fear of being attacked” during Monday’s confrontation.

Curtis Reeves is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 43-year-old Chad Oulson. A judge ordered Reeves held without bond Tuesday.

Pasco County Sheriff’s officials say Reeves initially asked Oulson to stop texting at the theater in a suburb about a half-hour north of downtown Tampa.

After officers read him his rights, Reeves said that Oulson struck him in the face with an unknown object, and that’s when he removed a .380 caliber gun from his pants pocket.

– From news service reports

Copy the Story Link