Shootings at Arizona high school 'an apparent murder-suicide'
The shooting of two 15-year-old girls at an Arizona high school was an apparent murder-suicide, police have said.
The shocking incident at Independence High School in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix, initially caused panic among parents who could not reach their children.
But police later announced that a suicide note was found at the shooting scene near the cafeteria area.
They said the girls were each shot once and a weapon was found near the bodies.
"Information gathered by detectives reveal the two girls were very close friends (and) appeared to also be in a relationship," Glendale police spokeswoman Tracey Breeden said.
It is believed nobody at the school witnessed the shooting.
Ms Breeden said the girls' names "will not be confirmed or released at this time by the police department due to their juvenile status".
Social workers and counsellors will be available to talk to students and staff when school classes resume on Tuesday.
Minnie Kramer, the mother of a 15-year-old pupil, said she rushed from work when she received a text from her son after the shooting, telling her that he was OK.
As she waited to be reunited with her son, Ms Kramer said she worried about whether any of his friends were harmed.
"I know that my son is OK, but emotionally you don't know what it does, especially at 15, especially if it's someone he knew," she said.
