Police: South Carolina school shooting suspect shot father before attack

(Image credit: Larry W. Smith/Getty Images)

last updated 29 September 2016

Authorities say a teenager who allegedly shot and wounded two students and a teacher Wednesday at a South Carolina elementary school killed his father earlier in the day.

Jeffrey Osborne, 47, was found dead inside his Townville home from a gunshot wound, police say. The 14-year-old suspect, who was homeschooled, is in custody, and authorities are trying to determine what ties he might have to Townville Elementary School. Chief Sheriff Deputy Keith Smith said the teen did not enter the school, and the shooting took place on the playground.

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Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

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