North Carolina college is plunged into lockdown as student 'shoots self in hand' - while terrified classmates barricade doors and hide under desks

  • Officers have confirmed there were reports of gunshots at Forsyth Tech, a community college in North Carolina
  • Those inside the building remained in lockdown for several hours until it was cleared 

By Emma James For Dailymail.Com

Published: | Updated:

Police have confirmed that one person has been shot at a community college in North Carolina, with students claiming that it was 'self-inflicted'.

Officers confirmed that one person was taken to hospital with 'non-life-threatening injuries' after a two-hour lockdown at Forsyth Tech.

There were initial reports of gunshots at the Strickland Center, with many students and staff remaining in position until the building was slowly cleared.

One student told WFMY that their classmate was 'playing with a gun' and accidentally shot their hand in the process. 

Cops descended on the college after reports of 'shots fired' which led to terrified students hiding under desks.

Officers have confirmed there were reports of gunshots at Forsyth Tech, but there is not an active shooter at the scene

Officers have confirmed there were reports of gunshots at Forsyth Tech, but there is not an active shooter at the scene 

Videos have since emerged of youngsters hiding under desks and barricading the doors.

In a statement, Winston-Salem Police Department said: 'At 10:10 a.m. WSPD received a report of a shooting on the main campus of Forsyth Tech Community College.

'Our officers are on scene and assisting. Information will be provided as it becomes available.

'We can confirm there is no active shooter on the campus of Forsyth Tech. There is still an active investigation on the campus.

'There are no other threats to any other schools in the area. Anyone with info about this event should call 911 or WSPD non-emergency at 336-773-7700.'

Police have closed several streets surrounding the campus as a precaution. 

It comes just days after three children, 9, and three members of staff were shot dead in a mass shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville.  

An investigation is currently ongoing after reports of shots being fired at the community college in North Carolina

An investigation is currently ongoing after reports of shots being fired at the community college in North Carolina 

An alert was sent to students saying that shots were fired, with other schools also forced into hiding

An alert was sent to students saying that shots were fired, with other schools also forced into hiding

An alert was sent to students saying that shots were fired, with other schools also forced into hiding.

Hazardous Devices unit, fire trucks, police mobile command center are all at the scene. 

The superintendent of Stokes County Schools confirmed there were Stokes County students on campus at the time.

In a statement they said: 'While I do not have all of the details, I can confirm there were Stokes County Schools students on Forsyth Tech's campus at the time of the shooting. All Students have been accounted for and are safe.

'We do not anticipate there is a threat to any of our schools in Stokes County at this time; however, we have been in contact with our local law enforcement and will be providing extra security to our school's this afternoon.'

A spokesman for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools added: 'Students who were attending events at Forsyth Tech are with their school representatives. All WS/FCS students are accounted for.

'We have no reports of injury at this time but will keep you updated with more information.

'Parents, please do not report to Forsyth Tech as the campus is on lockdown and following the shelter in place protocol. Our students will be brought back to their home schools as soon as possible.'

North Carolina

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