Community rallies around S.C. school shooting victims

GREENVILLE, S.C. — The details were few, but some emerged Wednesday about the Townville Elementary teacher and two students shot by a teenage gunman.

The teacher, Meghan Hollingsworth, was released from AnMed hospital later Wednesday afternoon along with another student, who hasn't been identified.

The third victim, young Jacob Hall, was still fighting for his life.

Police: Teen shooter killed dad before school rampage

The boy's parents, Rodger and Renae Hall, released a statement indicating their son was in critical condition after being airlifted to the Pediatric Trauma Center at Greenville Health System, where the mostserious cases in the area are treated.

"We appreciate the community's support, especially the Townville Rescue Squad who treated Jacob onsite and brought him to the hospital," the parents said. "We appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers and ask for privacy during this difficult time."

The hospital said Wednesday it expects to provide an update on the boy's condition by 11 a.m. Thursday.

Jacob was shot in the leg.

The other student was shot in the foot.

Hollingsworth suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder as she tried to close a door to the school and lead children to safety.

The College of Charleston graduate has been a teacher at Townville since 2007. She was teacher of the year two years ago and is an avid runner.

Later in the evening, Anderson County Sheriff John Skipper — who had few details to offer in a 9 p.m. news conference, including the age of the shooter — came close to tears as he spoke at a prayer service at Oakdale Baptist Church, where one of the wounded students attended.

“I know when things like this happen in a community, the community comes together,” he said. “And you certainly have.”

He praised the school staff for their handling of the incident.

“It worked like the plan was designed,” he said.

State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman came to the prayer service to show support for the school and community and thank the church for opening its doors to the families during the crisis.

“Your church, your community stepped up today to just love,” she said.

She said the state Department of Education will study the way the school handled the incident to use as an example for other schools in their emergency preparation.

Denise Fredericks, the school’s principal, got a standing ovation when she was asked to speak, and lots of hugs afterward from students and their families.

She praised law enforcement for its handling of the incident and asked for prayer for her students and staff.

“I think we had some heroes in our school today that held it together until the professionals arrived,” she said.

She didn’t give details of how the incident unfolded, and a family member said afterward that she would not speak to the media yet.

“We’re going to really have to wrap our arms around each other,” District Superintendent Joanne Avery, "because the next few days are going to be hard.”

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