Shooting At Concord's Second Start School Was A Student Suicide

CONCORD, NH — Concord police are investigating a shooting at Project Second Start on North State Street that appears to be a suicide, according to the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office. Limited information is available at post time but the shooting incident was reported at a little past 10 a.m. at the private, nonprofit high school which assists at risk students. Officials from the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office and the New Hampshire Department of Safety quickly arrived at the school after the incident was first reported.

"At this juncture, the incident is contained," said Kate Spiner, the director of communications for the AG's Office. "While one individual is dead from an apparent suicide, no additional students, faculty or staff were physically harmed. Additional information will be provided as soon as it is available."

Calls from inside the school reported more than one gunshot and all on duty police officers were sent to the school, according to dispatch. More calls came into police dispatch identifying the suspect as a student who normally arrives later in the day. School personnel told fire dispatch a few minutes after the initial call was reported that the scene was secure, according to scanner chatter.

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An officer quickly found the gun and the victim and stated he was "breathing faintly." Firefighters were then called in. Officials quickly confirmed there were no other injuries in the school.

Two waves of students were then evacuated from the North State Street school to the school's other facility on Knight Street, just around the corner, according to dispatch. At 10:30 a.m., police dispatch said all students and faculty had been accounted for. At just before 11, a second set of students and faculty were evacuated from the building. Concord police also posted a note on Twitter saying there was no threat to the public and asked residents to stay out of the area.

"We will release more information as it becomes available," the post stated.

The area around the school is currently shutdown during the investigation. Traffic is being re-routed from North State Street to Quaker Street and onto Lake Street. It is unknown how long this part of North State Street will be closed.

Gov. Chris Sununu thanked first responders for their immediate response and said state officials would be monitoring the situation.

"The state of New Hampshire has been in close contact with local law enforcement," he said. "I have spoken with (Concord) Police Chief Osgood and informed him all state resources are at the Concord Police Department’s disposal. The state will remain on the scene and investigate the situation."

Along with the AG and department of safety, officials from the New Hampshire Department of Education are also at the scene.

The school, through the department of education, issued a statement saying it was "shocked and saddened, beyond words" by Wednesday's incident.

"Today, tragedy struck our beloved school at 450 N. State St.," said Jim Snodgrass, the executive director of Second Start. "One of our students suddenly and unexpectedly took their own life. We will face the coming days by supporting each other and we will have counselors available for our students and staff. We will communicate directly with our school community as to what the next steps will be moving forward."

A free, 24/7 confidential service is available that can provide people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, or those around them, with support, information, and local resources. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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