By Phil Helsel -
NBC News
The gun that authorities believe a 15-year-old high school student in Michigan used Tuesday to kill three classmates and seriously injure eight other people was purchased by the suspect's father days ago, according to the sheriff.
Three students were killed, and seven other students and a teacher were shot and wounded in the Oxford High School massacre in a community north of Detroit around 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Oakland County Sheriff's Office said.
Three of the injured students were in critical condition Tuesday night, according to authorities.
[The student who killed three of his classmates at a Michigan school shot more than 15 times]
The suspect, who was taken into custody and was not injured, is not speaking to investigators and his family has retained an attorney, Sheriff Michael Bouchard said at a news conference.
"The person who has the best knowledge of the motive [for the attack] is not speaking out," Bouchard said.
The sheriff called the violence an "unspeakable and unforgivable act."
Investigators believe the 15-year-old, who was not identified because of his age, used a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol his father bought on Friday, Bouchard said.
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He had at least two 15-round magazines and is believed to have had a third, which has not been found at the large crime scene, according to the sheriff.
When the officers confronted the suspect, he raised his hands and was arrested.
The gun was loaded and had seven rounds.
Vigil attendees embrace at LakePoint Community Church in Oxford, Michigan, Tuesday, Nov.30, 2021.Paul Sancya / AP
“When it was taken from him, he had a loaded firearm and was coming down the hall.
That, again, I think interrupted what could potentially have been seven more victims, "Bouchard said.
The suspect's motivation is unknown, as is the reason his father bought the firearm.
The suspect is believed to have been shooting with the handgun recently and had posted photos of a target and the weapon on social media.
Institute surveillance video shows him emerging from a bathroom with the weapon, but investigators are still trying to determine the sequence of events.
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The seven injured students are between the ages of 14 and 17.
Three of the students were in critical condition, including a 15-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the head and a 14-year-old girl who is connected to an artificial respirator and was injured in the neck and chest, according to it. Bouchard.
Students attend a vigil at LakePoint Community Church in Oxford, Michigan, Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2021. Paul Sancya / AP
The three dead people were identified by the sheriff's office as 16-year-old Tate Myre;
Hana St. Juliana, 14, and Madisyn Baldwin, 17. Tate died in a sheriff's patrol car while being transported to a hospital.
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The 47-year-old professor was shot in the shoulder and has been released from the hospital, according to the sheriff's office.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer called the shooting horrific.
"It is an unimaginable tragedy," he said.
President Joe Biden also expressed his condolences Tuesday.
"My heart goes out to the families who endure the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one," Biden stated.
About 1,800 students attend Oxford High School, which is located in Oxford Township, about 22 miles (35 kilometers) north of downtown Detroit.
A mother who was shaking in her car after the incident told NBC Detroit affiliate WDIV that her daughter was safe, but that she was concerned for her friends and all the other parents who were waiting to find out.
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“I am very affected, because you never think it will happen here.
Children are a big part of this community.
I'm very scared for them, ”said the woman.
Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said in a statement that her office intends to quickly issue charges.