Police: 2 teen girls killed in murder-suicide at Glendale high school, counselors on-staff Saturday
GLENDALE, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Counselors are at Independence High School on Saturday to meet with students after two 15-year-old girls died in a double-shooting at a Glendale high school. Police have confirmed that two teen girls were found dead at a at the school on Friday morning and that they are investigating the incident as a murder-suicide.
A vigil is scheduled at the school on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.
The Glendale Police Department says two 15-year-old sophomore girls were found with a weapon laying beside them at Independence High School just before 8 a.m. The shooting happened near the administration building underneath a covered patio.
Officers responded to the school within two minutes of receiving the 9-1-1 call.
The shooting was an isolated incident and there is not an active shooter, however, the school remains on lockdown.
Investigators Friday afternoon say they found a suicide note from one of the girls and that the pair were a couple.
School officials identified one of the victims as May Kieu, but have not identified the other girl.
Due to the police activity, 75th Avenue is shut down near the school.
The Glendale Union High School District says parents will be picked up from the staging area at 75th Avenue and Glendale, and then taken by bus to Independence High School.
The campus was on lockdown and students have since been released.
Condolences have begun to pour in across Arizona for the students and faculty at the school.
Statement from Glendale Union High School District via Facebook:
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey released the following statement on the shooting via his website:
As details of this morning's tragic shooting continue to be released, our hearts remain with the students, educators and families of Independence High School and the entire Glendale community.
I commend the police officers, first responders, school safety officials, teachers and school administrators for their swift response and diligent work to secure and protect the students at the school. The state of Arizona continues to watch the situation closely, and stand at the ready to offer any support the school or community need.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them, with everyone on scene and with the community during this difficult time.
GLSEN issued a statement on the incident Friday evening: “GLSEN Phoenix is deeply saddened by the tragedy, and we send our sympathies to the entire Independence High School community.