2 Kids Shot at Kelly Elementary in Carlsbad, CA

A gunman opened fire at Kelly Elementary School in Carlsbad, California today, October 8. Fortunately, no one was killed when a man started shooting into a crowd of children outside the school. Witnesses say the gunman was tackled by bystanders and was taken into custody by police. The shooter has been described as an older man with gray hair, dressed in black. At time of writing, he has not yet been identified.

NBC reports that the gunman jumped a fence to gain access to the school and began firing wildly. One witness, Jordan Sears, told the San Diego Union-Tribune the suspect was holding a jack 'o lantern "and running and shooting at something. First there was screaming, then there was silence."

NBC reports the gunman also had with him a 5-gallon gas can.

The suspect was brought down by a witness who lived across the street from Kelly Elementary and by construction workers who were on the scene. The suspect was reportedly not speaking clearly after he was tackled by the rescuers. Police are also giving information that is presenting doubts about the gunman's mental state. Officers say when asked, the shooter gave them three different names, one a woman's.

KTLA News reports that this is not the first time the San Diego area has been the victim of a school shooting. In 1979, Brenda Ann Spencer opened fire on Grover Cleveland Elementary School, killing two adults and wounding eight children. When asked why she did it, she famously replied, "I don't like Mondays." Spencer is still serving her prison sentence of 25 years to life.

Whether the Kelly Elementary gunman will also see prison may depend on evidence regarding the state of his mental health when the courts begin to examine his case.

Related Resources:

• Two students hurt in Carlsbad school shooting (Los Angeles Times)
• UT Shooting: Austin Campus on Lockdown (FindLaw's Blotter)
• Shooting Near Campus of Collin College (FindLaw's Blotter)