Richmond school shooting: 14-year-old took hostage, mom called in tip

Here’s what we know so far:

UPDATE @ 7:45 p.m. (Dec. 14): Making students feel safe again is Richmond Community Schools "biggest challenge" moving forward, district Superintendent Todd Terrill said at a news conference.

“We have to get back to a sense of normalcy,” he said. “We are the biggest stabilizing tools our students have.”

>> Active shooter training saved lives, police say

Richmond Community Schools were placed on lockdown Thursday after police received a tip about a “potential violent act” at Dennis Intermediate.

The Indiana State Police confirmed Friday afternoon that the mother of suspect Brandon Clegg called in the tip warning police about a “potential violent act” at Dennis Intermediate School after the boy took another family member hostage and forced the family member to drive him to the school.

Dennis Intermediate already was on lockdown and police were on the scene when Clegg arrived.

Clegg shot at a door to get into the school before exchanging gunfire with officers.

He died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

No one else was injured, according to police.

“Their response yesterday, the professionalism they showed, was amazing,” Terrill said of law enforcement.

Dennis Intermediate has a full-time Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy serving as a school resource officer.

Terrill said the officer had an “undeniable” impact on protecting staff and students.

The school was turned back over to the district Friday, but will remain closed Monday.

Terrill said the schedule for next week is “flexible.”

Law enforcement searched a Southwest 16th Street home believed to be Clegg’s on Thursday evening.

They reportedly seized computers and two gun boxes from the house.

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