UPDATE
SANTA FE, Texas – At least eight people were killed in gunfire at Santa Fe High school this morning, federal and county law enforcement officials have confirmed.
An unidentified law enforcement officer was shot, but sources said he was "clipped" and was not seriously injured.
One source said the gunman was a male but could provide no further information.
The shooter has been "arrested and secured," said Santa Fe HS Assistant Principal Dr. Cris Richardson.
Several other students as well as an officer was injured in the shooting.
Joe Gamaldi with the Houston Police Officers Union tweeted, "Please keep the officers in your prayers as one officer is being life flighted to the hospital."
Students described the gunfire, which broke out about 7:30 a.m.
Junior Liberty Wheeler, 14, was in class when she heard five shots ring out near the art room. Her teacher told them to run toward the theater department's storage room, where they hid for 45 minutes before being escorted outside by the SWAT team.
"You could smell the gunpowder that came from the gun," Wheeler recalled as she was escorted out of the building. "We were all scared because it was near us."
Paige Curry, a junior at the school, said "I was sitting in my classroom and I heard very loud booms and I didn't know what they were. I was confused but after I heard screaming, I figured out what they were, got up immediately and started to run. I almost ran out of the school, but I hid instead with the other students. I was there for maybe 30 minutes I was on the phone with my mom the whole time. They found us and escorted us."
"There were a lot of people, a lot of different suits so I wasn't really sure, but I think they were SWAT." "I was very, very scared but I managed to keep calm, especially with my mom on the phone."
"I heard people were hurt and the gunshots were from a classroom maybe three doors down. I heard five [shots] maybe. It was one boom, then another boom very loud. It wasn't rapid."
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is treating two patients, their conditions not yet being disclosed, said spokesman Raul Reyes. He said more patients are expected, including one currently being transported from the branch's League City hospital.
He said a helicopter with at least one patient is on the way and more ambulances are expected.
Officers in tactical gear were deployed into the school. Outside, groups of students evacuated from the building are being patted down by authorities.
Deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office were sent to assist Galveston County officers on the scene, according to a tweet by HCSO Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
The ATF also confirmed it responded to the scene.
Richardson said he could not confirm whether there was more than one shooter.
"We hope the worst is over," he said.
No further information was immediately available.
