2 dead, 4 injured in US high school shooting

WASHINGTON

At least two students are dead Thursday and four others, including the suspect, injured in a shooting at a high school in Santa Clarita, California, according to authorities.

A 16-year-old girl was pronounced dead at Henry Mayo Hospital in Santa Clarita Valley.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said a second student, 14-year-old male, died of his injuries.

An Asian male student, 16, removed a handgun from his backpack and shot opened fire before shooting himself in the head, said Capt. Kent Wegener of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The gunman, whose birthday was Thursday, according to officials, is in grave condition at a hospital.

Authorities have not been able to determine a motive.

The victims and the shooter all attend Saugus High School, north of Los Angles.

Authorities lifted a lockdown for the district, school deputy superintendent Mike Kuhlman said in a statement.

He said the shooting happened before the start of classes.