Police: South Carolina school shooting suspect shot father before attack

Police caution tape.
(Image credit: Larry W. Smith/Getty Images)

Authorities say a teenager who allegedly shot and wounded two students and a teacher Wednesday at a South Carolina elementary school killed his father earlier in the day.

Jeffrey Osborne, 47, was found dead inside his Townville home from a gunshot wound, police say. The 14-year-old suspect, who was homeschooled, is in custody, and authorities are trying to determine what ties he might have to Townville Elementary School. Chief Sheriff Deputy Keith Smith said the teen did not enter the school, and the shooting took place on the playground.

One 6-year-old victim is in critical condition and undergoing surgery, while the other victim, also 6, has been discharged from the hospital. The teacher is still being treated. The school, which has an enrollment of 286 students, was evacuated after the incident, and is closed for the rest of the week.

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Catherine Garcia, The Week US

Catherine Garcia is night editor for TheWeek.com. Her writing and reporting has appeared in Entertainment Weekly and EW.com, The New York Times, The Book of Jezebel, and other publications. A Southern California native, Catherine is a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.