School resource officer Mark Dallas of the Dixon, Ill., police department shot an ex-student at Dixon High School Wednesday morning preventing potential loss of life at the school after the ex-student opened fire on him.
The ordeal took place at about 8 a.m. local time when the suspect approached Officer Dallas and opened fire, according to local officials. Dallas then returned fire and hit the suspect. The suspect was then apprehended. He is receiving medical treatment for a non-life-threatening wound.
"The Dixon High School and all Dixon Public Schools are on lockdown," Dixon city government said in a statement posted on their Facebook page. "Dixon Police believe the suspect acted alone and that there is no further threat to the safety of students or staff. Multiple police agencies are on scene. Further information will be released as it becomes available."
Parents rushed to the scene to pick up their kids after learning of the attack. They were relieved by the news that none of their children were injured.
"My heart right now is racing a million miles a minute," James Johnson, the father of two kids attending Dixon High School, told WQAD. "It's very, very frightening."
Johnson said he was grateful Officer Dallas was able to take quick action and protect his children.
"The police department got there in the blink of an eye," he said. "They took care of the situation. Got the kids evacuated out of the school. None of the kids were hurt. So, I can say for the Dixon Police Department, very good job protecting the kids. Not only my own but all the other parents' kids out there. I applaud you for the services that you do protecting my children and everybody else's children."
Officials have not yet released the name of the suspect or speculated on his plan or motives but they did tell Sauk Valley Media he is a 19-year-old ex-student from Dixon High School.