Roswell, New Mexico school shooter, Mason Campbell, 12, pictured
Pictured: The 'baby-faced school shooter, 12, who warned friends to stay home before he went on rampage critically wounding two classmates'
- Mason Campbell, 12, allegedly warned several students not to go to class Tuesday before he smuggled a shotgun into the Berrindo Middle School building and committed the rampage
- The gunfire was brought to a swift close by gallant social studies teacher, John Masterson
- One of the two young victims, Kendal Sanders, 13, has been identified and her condition has been upgraded from critical to satisfactory
- An 11-year-old boy, who initially told nurses he was the target of the shooting, has undergone two surgeries and remains in critical condition
- Police say the shooting lasted 10 seconds in front of about 500 students
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Alleged shooter: Mason Campbell, 12, pictured, allegedly warned several students not to go to class Tuesday before he smuggled a shotgun into the Berrindo Middle School building and committed the shooting rampage
The baby-faced Roswell student who police say critically wounded two classmates when he opened fire in his packed school gymnasium yesterday has been pictured for the first time.
Mason Campbell, 12, allegedly warned several students not to go to class Tuesday before he smuggled a shotgun into the Berrindo Middle School building and committed the rampage, which was brought to a swift close by brave teacher, John Masterson.
One of the two young victims, Kendal Sanders, 13, has had her condition upgraded from critical to satisfactory. An 11-year-old boy has undergone two surgeries and remains in critical condition.
The boy, who hasn't been named, was shot in the face and neck and initially told nurses he was the target of the shooting.
However, State Police Chief Pete Kassetas said Wednesday that it appeared both victims were chosen randomly.
Kassetas said the attack was planned in advance and the boy got the sawed-off shotgun from his family's home and had three rounds of ammunition.
The shooting lasted 10 seconds and happened in front of about 500 students.
Witnesses described Campbell as a nice kid and a member of the middle school football team, and neighbors said he was a good kid who liked music.
But student Gabbie Vasquez said of the suspect: 'He really didn't talk to nobody. He's quiet and kind of awkward.'
One witness told KRQE the boy didn't have a backpack and wasn't wearing a school uniform, which drew immediate suspicion.
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Victim: Kendal Sanders, 13, was one of two students shot at Berrendo Middle School
Happy teen: Kendal looks like an happy 13-year-old teenager on Facebook. She was shot in the shoulder and has had to undergo emergency surgery
'We were sitting at the top and the stairs and he was right there. I saw him trying to get on the bleachers. I saw blood splatter then he fell onto the floor,' said 12-year-old Joshua Ramirez, adding that he heard three gunshots, then saw the suspect throw the shotgun on the floor.
That's when Mr Masterson apprehended the shooter.
Campbell was transferred to a psychiatric hospital in Albuquerque, following a court hearing Tuesday, according to the Albuquerque Journal.
Albuquerque attorney Jason Bowles, who is related to Campbell, said, 'Our family, right now, is prayerful and thinking of the kids that were hurt and their families and praying that God will oversee this situation.
'Our thoughts and prayers are for those kids that were hurt,' he told KOAT-TV.
The family's official attorney, Robert Gorence, said the boy's parents would issue a written statement today.
The new details come after Saunders' aunt hit out at members of the community for basking in the media attention the gun attack has brought to their city.
Close family: Kendal regularly post pictures with her father Bert and mother Betty online. Her aunt Lisa described how her father broke down on hearing the news and remains at his daughter's bedside
Sanders was shot in the shoulder when Campbell allegedly opened fire on the school gymnasium at 7.30am on Tuesday.
Kendal's devastated family have since taken to social media to ask for prayers and to detail what happened.
One aunt, Lisa Sanders, also took the opportunity to hit out at members of the community boasting about the fact they've appeared in one of the many broadcasts from the school beamed around the country - and the world.
In an angry post on Facebook on Tuesday night, she called on people to remember the families of the two victims in the shooting.
'I hope everyone who is "happy" to be on TV understands exactly what is going on!' she wrote just hours after joining Kendal's parents Bert and Betty at the Lubbock hospital where Kendal is being treated.
'As the little girl's aunt who was shot today and to watch her mother and father go through every parents nightmare! I also want you to know when you see a grown man cry for his son and daughter, keep that on you mind when you are all happy about talking to reporters! From the aunt of our baby girl!'
Saving lives: Hero social studies teacher John Masterson talked the Roswell school shooter down after he left a 13-year-old girl and 11-year-old boy in critical condition
Community in mourning: Heartbreaking images emerged from a prayer vigil in Roswell last night as the young students of Berrendo Middle School gathered with their families
Devastated: Troy Tucker held his two daughters Emily, 10, and Hannah, 12, close at the vigil. Police say more students could have been shot if a hero teacher hadn't stepped in
Shocked: Kimberly Macias cries alongside her school friends, pictured, the teens were trying to come to terms with the devastating shooting today
She also detailed the horror injuries suffered by Kendal in the attack. Responding to well-wishers she said the teen would be in hospital for at least a week and had to undergo emergency surgery following the shooting 'cutting her from chest to waist'.
The 13-year-old's condition has improved overnight from critical to serious though.
On her own Facebook profile Kendal looks like any other 13-year-old girl posting about One Direction and popular TV shows.
She is also clearly close to her parents posting pictures with both her mom and dad happily posing for the camera.
Police are still seeking a motive for the shooting.
Campbell's alleged other victim, an unnamed 11-year-old boy, is in critical condition. He reportedly told nurses he believed he was the intended target of the attack.
It has also emerged that the preteen shooter warned his friends to stay away from school.
Police revealed in a press conference on Tuesday night that some were told to stay away, it is not clear if any of these students raised the alarm.
'We have preliminary information that possibly some of the students were warned by the individual prior to the shooting not to go to school,' said New Mexico State Police Chief Pete Kassetas.
Tears: Students are reunited with family following a shooting at Berrendo Middle School, Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Security: Students surrounded by officials are escorted from Berrendo Middle School after the shooting, which injured two teens
Many more children could have been hurt in the shooting if it wasn't for the actions of a selfless social studies teacher who threw himself in front of the gunman and convinced him to put down his 20-gauge, sawed-off shotgun.
'Mr. Masterson ... was a hero ...who stood there and allowed a gun to be pointed right at him,' Governor Martinez said at a vigil Tuesday evening, according to CNN, 'and to talk down that young boy to drop the gun so that there would be no more young kids hurt.'
Mr Masterson has been a teacher for ten years and also coaches soccer at the school.
He told the Albuquerque Journal he has been warned not to speak at length about the shooting.
'It was a harrowing experience. All I can say was the staff there did a great job,' he said.
Another teacher also suffered minor injuries but refused medical aid so he could stay on to assist at the scene.
Roswell police announced soon after the shooting that the suspect had been arrested at the campus and was in custody.
At the afternoon press conference, Kassetas said the drama unfolded at the school around 7:30am.
'(The suspect) walked into the gymnasium. We believe the weapon was concealed in a bag and it wasn't known about until right before he started shooting,' he said.
Too much: A parent falls to their knees as they hear more about the early morning shooting
Police: Police were on hand at the chaotic parking lot as frightened parents waited for their children
Witnesses said the 11-year-old victim was shot in the face, though officials initially refused to confirm this.
Kassetas said the school's principal recognized a NM state police lieutenant who was dropping off his own child as she locked the door and asked for his help. However, when he arrived inside the gym, the weapon was already on the ground.
He went on to applaud the bravery of school officials.
'It is one thing for a police officer whose job this is to intervene but for a teacher or staff member to intervene, I commend the principal and the teachers and people at this school for saving many more lives,' he said.
Kassetas said detectives were conducting interviews with over 100 students and faculty as part of the investigation but they were confident the 12-year-old was acting alone. As of Tuesday night, they had spoken to about 60 witnesses.
Superintendent Burris insisted security at his schools was not to blame and said the incident came as a total shock to all.
Relief: Kathy Sigala cries as she hugs 11-year-old Zippy and 12-year-old Jade. 'I just want to take them home and love the,' she said
Shooter: No information about the shooter or the type of weapon used has been released
'We come to school daily thinking we are going to educate our kids and lead them but we never think things like today will ever happen,' he said. 'And they do.'
Earlier, Gabriel Tortillo, a 7th grade student at Berrendo, told the Albuquerque Journal he saw a male student carrying a gun. He said that student shot a boy in the eye area.
Sixth grade student Anyssa Vegara said she was talking to a security guard when she heard the shot.
'I turned around and all I saw was someone on the floor with their arm bleeding,' the student said.
She said the security guard ran to help the injured student, and school officials ordered all the students to their classrooms.
It was earlier reported that there were at least four victims, but the injured kids appeared to have been counted twice.
An image posted byKOB4 from the mall shows chaos as worried moms and dads crowd the parking lot, waiting to be united with their kids.
One parent is seen falling to his knees as the situation clearly becomes too much while others embraced their children, overcome with relief.
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