Sepulveda Middle School Shooting Injures One; 13-Year-Old Suspect at Large in San Fernando Valley
A shooting near Sepulveda Middle School in North Hills, San Fernando Valley, left one person injured Wednesday afternoon, prompting a brief lockdown on campus. Authorities report that the incident occurred around 3:08 p.m. when a 13-year-old boy allegedly opened fire outside the school, wounding a 17-year-old male who was walking to the school to pick up a younger sibling.
According to Los Angeles Police, the altercation between the suspect and the victim escalated before the gunfire erupted. The 17-year-old was struck in the thigh and was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance. A school police officer at the scene reportedly applied a tourniquet to slow the bleeding before paramedics arrived. The victim’s condition has not been publicly disclosed, but the quick response from authorities helped stabilize the situation.
The school was immediately placed on lockdown as LAPD and school police officers responded to the scene. Streets around Sepulveda Middle School were closed off as investigators combed the area for evidence, with several patrol cars seen in the surrounding blocks. The shooting caused panic among students, who described the chaos as they heard the shots fired just steps from campus.
The shooter, identified as a 13-year-old boy, remains at large as of Wednesday evening. Police recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting nearby, but the motive for the altercation remains unclear. It is also unknown whether the suspect has any gang affiliations.
In a message to the school community, administrators reassured parents that no students were injured, and the lockdown was implemented out of an abundance of caution. Two individuals initially detained by authorities were later released after being cleared of involvement.
As the investigation continues, the Los Angeles Police Department is working to track down the suspect and understand the circumstances surrounding the shooting.