Oxford High School Shooting: 3 Dead Among 11 Shot

OXFORD, MI — Three people are dead and eight others were wounded when a gunman armed with a handgun opened fire Tuesday at Oxford High School, authorities said.

A 15-year-old sophomore at the school shot 11 people, including a teacher, within five minutes, police said. Three students — 14-year-old Hana St. Juliana, 16-year-old Tate Myre and 17-year-old Madisyn Baldwin — were slain.

Three other victims were listed in critical condition, with one being placed on a ventilator after surgery. The other five were listed in stable condition, police said. They were transported to several different hospitals in the area including McLaren Lapeer, McLaren Oakland and St. Joe’s in Pontiac. Their names were not immediately released by officials.

The shooter fired about 15-20 shots from a semiautomatic handgun and surrendered without firing at responding officers with a loaded 9 mm pistol, officials said. Police believe he acted alone, though a possible motive wasn't immediately clear. The shooter was not hurt.

Talking to reporters Tuesday, Oakland County Undersheriff Michael McCabe insisted police were not aware of any warning signs.

"I'm not aware of, we're not aware of any warnings," McCabe said. "If there were, I got to believe they would have told us."

John Lyman of Rochester Hills Fire said 25 agencies, 60 units and two helicopters were sent to the school. Multiple patients were brought to various hospitals in the area.

Tim Throne, superintendent of Oxford Community Schools, told reporters Tuesday he was shocked.

“It's devastating,” Throne said.

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What We Know

Police received over 100 911 calls about the shooting and placed the shooter in custody within three minutes of their arrival at the high school, officials said.

Police did not identify the shooter because he is a juvenile and has not been charged. He has been placed in a juvenile detention facility in a special cell and on suicide watch, with someone checking on him every 15 minutes, officials said.

Police did say he is from Oxford Village and said the gun was recently purchased by the boy's father on Friday, officials said. During a search warrant, investigators took the boy's phone and are examining it.

The parents of the shooter did not talk to police and have advised their son to hire an attorney.

Officials said video footage showed the boy coming out of a bathroom with the handgun, but they do not know where he went next. Police do believe most of the shooting happened at the southern end of the school, police said.

It wasn't immediately clear if the shooter targeted the victims, police said.

The shooting came to an end when the boy put his hands up and surrendered while coming down a hallway toward officers, officials said.

Multiple police and EMS units raced to the school, and a medical helicopter landed in the parking lot of the school shortly after 2 p.m. Video shared on the social media platform TikTok appeared to show students frantically sprinting from a classroom, across an open courtyard and into another section of the school where a law enforcement officer was waiting. The kids fled outside after someone who identified themselves as belonging to the sheriff's office yelled outside their classroom door to open the door, and that it was safe to come out.

The school was placed on lockdown, with some students sheltering in classrooms. They were ushered to the parking lot of a nearby store after police secured the school and took the shooter into custody.

Rochester Schools were also briefly placed on lockdown as an enhanced security measure. The school district has since reopened.

Oxford High School serves grades nine through 12. About 1,500 students are enrolled at the school, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Michigan Lawmakers React

The shooting garnered reaction from officials across Michigan, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer saying in a statement she was heartbroken.

"The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others, including a teacher, is horrific," Whitmer said. "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."

Whitmer added that Michiganders have a responsibility to do everything they can to protect each other from gun violence.

"No one should be afraid to go to school, work, a house of worship, or even their own home," she said. "Gun violence is a public health crisis that claims lives every day. We have the tools to reduce gun violence in Michigan. This is a time for us to come together and help our children feel safe at school."

The Lake Orion Police Department offered their condolences to the Oxford high school students, staff and families of the students who injured and were killed in a Facebook post.

"I want to take this moment to send my this senseless act," the police department said. "I want to say to one family tonight I am very very sorry I could not bring your daughter home safely to you. I tried very hard to save her and could not I am very broken hearted that I could not. From me and the Lake Orion Police Officers we are broken hearted for all of you that lost someone today."

State Rep. John Reilly of Oakland Township said his heart goes out to students, staff and their families. He called the shooting "despicable."

"I am praying for a quick recovery for those who have been wounded, and comfort for families and friends grieving lost loved ones," Reilly said. "A tragedy like this shocks us all, and we need to support the people who endured this horrific trauma. Our community is unified in the face of this heinous act of violence, and we are especially grateful to our law enforcement officers and first responders for their efforts.”

State Rep. Mari Manoogian tweeted: “I have no words, other than to say, my heart is with the community of Oxford and Oxford HS this afternoon."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.