2 Dead, Several Injured When Student Opens Fire on His 16th Birthday at California High School: Cops

A student opened fire Thursday on his 16th birthday, killing two high school classmates and injuring several others at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, California, authorities said. 

The suspect, described by Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies as a 16-year-old junior, pulled a weapon from his backpack and opened fire in a campus quad before classes started, authorities said. His actions were captured by security cameras.

CBS News and other media outlets identified the suspect late Thursday as student Nathaniel Berhow. 

He shot five students and himself, according to L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

A 14-year-old male and a 16-year-old female died. The shooter, was transported to a nearby hospital with the victims, was listed in grave condition. He was clad in all black clothing when he opened fire, Villanueva said. Deputies initially thought he was one of the victims, he said.

The teen shot himself in the head, Villanueva said.

A .45-caliber semi-automatic gun was recovered from the scene, the sheriff said. The wounded were being treated at Henry Mayo Hospital in nearby Valencia, the medical center wrote in a tweet. The victims, a girl, 15, a boy, 14, and another girl, 14, were not in critical condition, Villanueva said.

The shooting reportedly happened around 20 minutes before school began. Some students ran screaming, and others were in the process of being dropped off by their parents when shots rang out. Authorities said they are questioning the alleged shooter's family, searching their home, and have not yet learned a motive for the attack.

Saugus High School has about 2,400 students, according to its website. 

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