We’re still in the early stages of getting information, but officials in Santa Clarita, California say a suspect is on the loose after opening fire on multiple people at Saugus High School in the southern California city Thursday morning.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said the suspected gunman, an Asian male wearing black clothing who was last seen at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, was at large.

“This is an active shooter situation,” said a tweet from the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Office. “If you live in neighborhoods anywhere near Saugus High, PLEASE LOCK DOORS and stay inside. If you see suspect, male dark clothing, in backyards, etc. CALL 911”

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that seven people were injured in the shooting, including one individual whose injuries are described as “critical.” Meanwhile, the paper quotes local law enforcement who say the suspected attacker was a teenager.

All schools in the William S. Hart District were locked down as authorities searched for the shooter. Authorities were centering much of their focus on the area of brush behind the high school adjacent to a creek where authorities suspected the teen might be hiding. Law enforcement officials were also searching the backyards of homes along Sycamore Creek Drive.

The suspect is described as a 15-year-old boy wearing a black hat and black clothing, sheriff’s officials said. Authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded to the scene to assist with the search.

KTLA-TV in southern California spoke to the Santa Clarita County Sheriff, who confirmed the description of the suspect.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva told KTLA that the department has identified the suspect, who appears to be a student. He did not release the student’s name.

Authorities are set to serve a search warrant at a home in the area, the sheriff added.

Residents who live anywhere near Saugus High are being told to lock their doors, stay inside and call 911 if they see the suspect. Everyone else is being asked to avoid the area.

While there’s still a lot to learn about this case, one thing we know for sure is that California governor Gavin Newsom and other anti-gun politicians in the state are sure to try to use this tragedy for their own political purposes. We’ll likely hear his calls for gun control before we even know any details about who these victims are, how the attacker acquired his weapons, and other important details.

We’ll continue to follow this developing story with updates here at Bearing Arms, but in the meantime, if you’re the praying kind, please say a prayer for those injured, their families, and the law enforcement now feverishly working to take the suspect into custody.

**UPDATE**

Officials say the suspect is now in custody after an hour-long search by authorities seeking to apprehend him. Meanwhile, officials also are describing two students’ injuries as “critical”, while another three individuals are reported to have been injured in the attack.