JEFFERSON, Ore. (KOIN) — A 17-year-old student died by an apparent suicide near the baseball fields at Jefferson High School in Marion County Monday, officials said at an afternoon news briefing.
Lt. Chris Baldridge with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the incident is being investigated as a suicide, although there is a criminal investigation underway. All signs point to this being self-inflicted.
“This is clearly a tragic time,” Superintendent Brad Capener said. “Our hearts are broken.”
Jefferson High School went into lockdown as a precaution after the sheriff’s office was called at 9:49 a.m. Capener said the principal of the school is working with both staff and students, and he commended everyone involved for how they reacted during “this crisis situation.”
The high school was dismissed at 1 p.m. Crisis counselors will be at the school until 9 p.m. Monday and all day Tuesday and they “will remain in place as long as needed,” he said.