ST. LOUIS — Nineteen-year-old Orlando Harris, a 2021 graduate of Central Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), is the suspected gunman behind a deadly shooting at his former school, according to police. He's accused of killing a 61-year-old teacher, a 15-year-old students, and injuring several other students Monday morning. While police still search for a motive, they say he lived in south St. Louis City with his family and had no prior run-ins with police. 

Around 9:11 a.m. police received a call about an active shooter at Central VPA High School. Officers arrived at the scene within minutes of the call, interim Chief Michael Sack said in a press conference Monday morning.

Upon arrival around 9:15 a.m., students told police there was a shooter armed with a long gun. Officers located the suspect on the third floor of the school in a classroom, according to Sack. 

Around 9:23 a.m. officers engaged in gunfire with the shooter and struck the suspect who was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Sack. The building was cleared with an inital search by responding officers, SWAT team and a bomb dog at 9:52 a.m.

No officers were injured. 

There were no additional threats and police were patrolling the area, Sack said.  

Eight people were transported from the school to local hospitals for gunshot wounds and shrapnel wounds. 61-year-old P.E. teacher Jean Kuczka was shot at the scene died at the hospital. 15-year-old Alexandria Bell was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sack. 

He explained the doors of the school were locked, which gave the suspect pause in trying to gain entry and bought time for police to arrive at the scene. 

“The security staff did an outstanding job identifying the suspect’s efforts to enter and immediately notify other staff and ensure that we were contacted,” Sack said. 

Sack declined to answer how the suspect gained entry into the school. In a press conference Monday evening, Sack said how the suspect got into the school will not be released for safety reasons. 

SLPS Superintendent Dr. Kelvin Adams said seven security officers were on duty at the time on both sides of the building. 

As hundreds of students fled the scene during the incident, Sack said it was possible that some escaped through windows. 

SLMPD Force Investigation Unit is continuing the investigation. 

Officers found what is believed to be the suspect’s vehicle that will be searched, according to Sack. 

During the press conference Monday evening, SLPS communications director George Sells said the superintendent and district officials are meeting to figure out security measures moving forward for other SLPS schools and when Central VPA will reopen. 

"The most important thing to us right now is the well-being of our students and our staff and their families," Sells said. "We've got counselors and social workers that are already reaching out. They were at Gateway today when those buses arrived with those kids and those people are going to be a part of their lives for as long as they need them."

FBI Investigation

The FBI is assisting in the investigation and is asking for the public to submit photos and videos that would help in the investigation. People can visit fbi.gov/centralvpa to upload and submit information to the FBI. 

FBI victim specialists are being brought in to help and those who need help can dial 988.

"Since this happened this morning, we have received an uptick in additional allegations of potential school shooters around here," special agent Jay Greenberg during Monday night's press conference. 

"We just ask everybody please help the area deal with this appropriately. Please have a conversation with your kid if they're old enough to have a device and make sure that any hoax, or any joke that they're sending about school shootings right now will be taken incredibly seriously."

St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner extended her condolences to the families of the victims and students, and said her office is working with the Force Investigation Unit and other law enforcement with the investigation. She also thanked the first responders for their hard work.