Ohio middle school student shoots self in school bathroom, officials say

The Ohio middle school student who suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on Tuesday has died, officials said. (Bob Rossiter/The Canton Repository via AP)

An Ohio middle school student who brought a gun to school and shot himself in a bathroom Tuesday had distraction devices in his backpack, police said.

Jackson Memorial Middle School was placed on lockdown Tuesday morning after a gunshot was heard just before 8 a.m., school officials said. The seventh grade student arrived at the school by bus and went directly to the bathroom, FOX8 reported.

He suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound using a .22 caliber gun.

Jackson Township police said in a 2 p.m. news conference that distraction devices were found in the backpack. The devices are generally used to produce smoke or a loud bang.

Authorities said the student, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital and his condition was not known. It wasn't immediately clear if the act was intentional or accidental.

The school later dismissed students for the day and canceled afternoon extracurricular activities.

Four elementary schools in Massillon were also closed. Officials are still reviewing whether schools will be opened on Wednesday.

Police are investigating how the student obtained the gun and how he brought it into the building. The school does not have metal detectors.