Pictured: Teen suspected of 'opening fire at school on his birthday' identified
The teenager accused of shooting dead two students and injuring three others at a California school on Thursday has been identified as Nathaniel Berhow.
The 16-year-old, who carried out the shooting on his birthday, was initially mistaken for one of the victims when Los Angeles County Sheriffs arrived at Saugus High School, roughly 50km north of Los Angeles, at about 7.30am (local time) responding to reports of a gunman on campus.
Police say he shot himself in the head and was found with the five victims in the school’s quad area.
Authorities say Berhow is “gravely” ill in hospital, with police sources informing NBC4 that he is brain dead and only being kept alive while his organs were harvested for donation.
While police are yet to formally name the teen, law enforcement sources have informed several US publications including CBS News the suspect in Berhow.
At a press conference police said the students killed were a 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.
Police say it is unclear what the motive behind the shooting was and are searching through Berhow’s social media accounts to see if there was any indication he was planning the incident.
It is believed Berhow’s social media accounts have been removed while investigations are ongoing.
His home was raided while his girlfriend and mother have both been taken in for questioning.
More to come.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter, download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play and stay up to date with the latest news with Yahoo’s daily newsletter. Sign up here.
