Report: Female victim identified in Phoenix-area high school double-shooting
Feb 12, 2016, 8:35 AM | Updated: 6:21 pm
Parents wait to reunite with their children, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. after two teens were shot Friday at Independence High School in the Phoenix suburb. Glendale Officer Tracey Breeden told reporters Friday that both victims were 15 years old and were shot once. She says authorities are not searching for any suspects and a weapon was found near the bodies. Breeden told parents awaiting word on their kids that "your children are safe." (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
PHOENIX — One of the two teenage girls who were found shot to death Friday morning at a suburban Phoenix high school has been identified.
Police said the bodies of two 15-year-old girls were found near a patio at Independence High School in Glendale near 75th and Maryland avenues. Each body had a single gunshot wound and a gun was found nearby.
According to Heavy.com, one of the victims was identified as 15-year-old May Kieu. Kieu, who was a sophomore at the school, was allegedly close with and may have been in a relationship with 15-year-old Dorothy Dutiel.
Police believe the incident was a murder-suicide, with Dutiel allegedly shooting Kieu before shooting herself.
Glendale Police said a suicide note was found on the scene. It is believed that no students witnessed the shooting.
Tracey Breeden with the Glendale Police Department said they will not identify either victim due to their juvenile status.
In a statement, the Glendale Union High School District said the school was locked down nearby streets were blocked off until police secured the safety of the school.
The shooting occurred just as classes had begun. First-period bell rings at 8 a.m., according to the school website.
Over two hours after the shooting, school buses were headed to pick up parents from 75th and Glendale avenues to reunite them with their children on campus.
Our prayers are with the students, educators & families at Independence High School & all the first responders on the scene. #PatriotPride
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) February 12, 2016
Our hearts go out to everyone at Independence High School this morning. We are standing by for information.
— Mayor Jerry Weiers (@MayorWeiers) February 12, 2016
One woman told local media that her daughter had texted her that she was safe in the school library, but that they hadn’t been told much.
Monitoring shooting at Independence HS Glendale #Arizona – my prayers are w/ all those involved
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) February 12, 2016
Enrollment was listed at around 2,000 students. School officials called parents with a message alerting them that the shooting was isolated.
Students had been instructed to not use their cellphones, but many were able to let their families know they were safe.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Kieu’s funeral. As of Friday night, the site raised more than $3,000 of its $10,000 goal.
If students need to talk with someone, Crisis Response Network has set up a crisis line that is available 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-203-CARE (2273). The team is also available at crisisnetwork.org.
District Superintendent Brian Capistran said social workers would be on campus when classes resume Tuesday. Schools across the nation will be closed Monday in honor of President’s Day.
