Four injured in school basketball shootings

Shots were fired outside a high school in Maryland yesterday, injuring four people, three of them seriously.

Television reports said a charity basketball game involving state lawmakers was being held at Randallstown High School in Baltimore County when the shootings occurred at about 4.30pm, apparently outside the school.

Witnesses told police a dark-coloured car with about four people inside pulled up to the school and the driver and a passenger got out of the car.

The driver opened fire first and then handed the gun to a passenger, who also fired before the two re-entered the car and sped off, police said.

Witnesses saw someone leave the scene in a black BMW with tinted glass windows. A car matching the description was found near by and a man was taken into custody.

A woman who answered the telephone at the school's main office said school officials could not comment because "clearly, they are trying to contact families." She would not identify herself or her position.

The school has 1,700 students and 115 staff.