Shooting at Coolidge High School

Male victim conscious and breathing; suspect in custody

One suspect is in custody following a shooting at Coolidge High School on Wednesday afternoon.

Both the 18-year-old victim and the suspect in custody are students at the school, D.C. Councilmember Muriel Bowser told NBC4's Shomari Stone.

The victim was shot in the leg. He was conscious and breathing when authorities arrived, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier told NBC4. A police spokesperson called the student's injuries non-life-threatening.

The shooting happened around 3:30 p.m. in the rear parking lot of the school, located at located at 6315 5th St. NW. Initial reports had indicated it occurred on or near the football field.

"Obviously, it's troubling..." a police spokesperson said. "This appears to be an isolated incident." He stressed that the shooting happened outside of the school builing and those inside were never in danger.

The school building was locked down as a precaution to protect those students still in the building after hours.

"I got scared.... It just came out of the blue," said student Jazzlyn Hill, who was inside during the lockdown.

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The suspect, who D.C. Police said is in his late teens, was arrested on a charge of assault with intent to kill.

Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools Kaya Henderson said there was a verbal altercation between the victim and the suspect. The suspect returned to the school after dismissal, which is when the shooting happened.

Both Henderson and D.C. Police said there was no indication that a weapon had been inside the school.

Henderson said there will be counselors at the school tomorrow to help students process what happened. Coolidge will also have additional staff members on hand.

Stay with NBCWashington.com and NBC4 for more information.

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