Gunman kills student at New Orleans school

A man shot dead a pupil and wounded three others at a New Orleans high school yesterday.

Eddie Compass, a police chief, said the three injured children were not believed to have life-threatening wounds. The gunman had escaped after the shooting at John McDonogh High School, in the Mid-City area, and was being sought by officers, he said.

Two people were taken in for questioning but they were not suspects. "Our tactical units have swept all the buildings. The children are completely safe," Mr Compass said. There was no immediate word on a possible motive.

After the shooting, at about 10.30am, pupils were ordered to stay in their classrooms.

Garick Jacob, 14, was in the gym when the attack happened. "Somebody pulled out a gun," he said. "They started shooting and I started running." He said he heard about 30 shots being fired.