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Two students shot at Virginia high school; suspect in custody

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Two students were injured and a suspect was taken into custody after a shooting at a high school in Virginia on Monday, police said.

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said both victims in the shooting at Heritage High School were 17 years old. A male student was shot in the side of the face and a female student was shot in the lower leg, but Drew said neither injury was believed to be life-threatening.

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Another student was taken to a hospital with a sprained or broken arm that may have been injured as the school was being evacuated, while another student with asthma experienced breathing issues.

Drew said a male suspect was taken into custody off-site from the school after help from the community and a firearm was recovered.

Police believe the suspect and the victims knew each other and the shooting was believed to be related to "some type of altercation."

Drew was not immediately able to provide further information about the suspect, such as whether or not he was a student.

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"We're trying to put all that together," he said.

Students were evacuated and sent to the school's tennis courts where parents were able to pick up their children.

Nearby Achievable Dream Middle and High School was also placed on lockdown.

It was not immediately clear how the suspect was able to get the weapon onto the campus.

Superintendent George Parker III told reporters the Newport News public school system had been using random security checks, including the use of metal detectors and dogs, to check for weapons.

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