North Carolina student shot after arguing with classmate, police say

A student was shot in the leg and a fellow student has been arrested after an argument before the first class period at Albemarle High School in Albermarle, N.C., police said.

The shooting took place about 7:40 a.m. EDT Tuesday at the high school in Albemarle, about 35 miles east of Charlotte, police said. The two male students had been arguing in a courtyard on the school campus.

“A preliminary investigation indicates an argument or some kind of altercation led to the shooting,” Albemarle Police Chief William Halliburton said during a televised news conference. “We have no indication that any other students were involved.”

After the incident, the shooter put down his gun and waited for police to arrive, the chief said.

“We had the suspect immediately in custody,” said Halliburton, who said about 20 officers from several jurisdictions responded to the report of shots fired.

Police did not release the suspect’s age or grade. Officials said they were still investigating before filing charges. The injured student was treated at a hospital, but his condition was not released.

The school remained on lockdown during the investigation. Parents are being asked to pick up their children at a nearby church.

Student Brittany Montgomery told WBTV-TV that she heard the students arguing, then heard three gunshots. Montgomery said a friend of hers broke down as she rushed to help the wounded student.

“I told her to calm down. He’s going to be OK. He’s just shot in the leg,” Montgomery told the TV station.

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