Ohio high school shooting leaves 5 wounded; gunman in custody

Five students were shot when a gunman opened fire at an Ohio high school Monday morning, authorities reported. The gunman was quickly taken into custody.

The shooter was apparently chased from the building and surrendered, Geauga County Sheriff Dan McClelland told reporters in a televised news conference outside Chardon High School about 30 miles east of Cleveland.

Early reports suggested that the gunman was also a student, though officials were still investigating.

PHOTOS: Ohio high school shooting

According to officials, the incident began about 7:30 a.m. as students were eating breakfast. The gunman opened fire in the cafeteria area of the high school, which has about 1,100 students

All of the shootings were believed to have taken place there, though victims were found in at least three different areas, McClelland said.

Four boys and one girl were taken to two hospitals. Their names and conditions were not immediately available.

Earlier reports indicated four students were injured, but officials increased that the number to five. They warned that the total could change as more information becomes available.

An adult, believed to be a teacher, chased the gunman from the building. The gunman surrendered to authorities and was being questioned at the sheriff’s office.

Parents rushed to the area. Students and parents seemed shocked as they talked to reporters at the scene.

Student Heather Ziska said she was in the building when she and other students began hearing popping noises in a nearby hallway.

The 17-year-old junior told the Associated Press that she then saw a boy with a gun -- whom she recognized as a fellow student -- come into the cafeteria and start shooting.

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Michael.muskal@latimes.com