Terrified children ran for their lives as a suspected teenage gunman opened fire at a school – killing one pupil and injuring several others.
Shocking footage shows panicked students sprinting down corridors before barricading themselves inside classrooms.
The horror unfolded during a flag-raising ceremony when the 15-year-old suspect allegedly launched the attack.
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Witnesses say he shouted “surprise” before pulling a shotgun from a guitar case and opening fire.
A 13-year-old boy, named locally as Ian Cabrera, was killed in the attack at Mariano Moreno High School No. 40 in San Cristóbal, northern Argentina, on Sunday (30 March), as reported by Need To Know.
At least one other student was seriously injured after being hit in the face and neck by shotgun pellets.
Seven more pupils suffered minor injuries as they desperately fled – some leaping through windows in panic.
Dr Armando Borsini, director of the city’s hospital, said: “Many children jumped out of windows, breaking the glass in panic.”
One 18-year-old student said: “We entered the school, the bell rang for the flag-raising ceremony, and as we were going downstairs, the boy arrived and out of nowhere, yelled ‘surprise’, and started shooting.”
The suspected gunman was eventually overpowered by a member of staff before being arrested.
San Cristóbal government secretary Ramiro Muñoz said: “The teachers said [the suspect] was a good student and was always well behaved, which makes this all the more surprising.”
He added: “We are deeply affected by the family’s pain because we know them.”
Authorities have revealed the teen had no known history of violence or bullying.
Provincial justice and security minister Pablo Cococcioni said the suspect was “going through a very complex private family situation” and that the attack “was not a school-related conflict”.
Following the tragedy, the school has suspended all activities for the week and declared a period of mourning.
The site remains cordoned off as investigations continue into the devastating shooting.
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