Berrendo Middle School Shooting Suspect May Have Warned Some Students To Stay Home, Police Say

A 12-year-old boy accused of opening fire on a crowded middle school gymnasium may have cautioned some students to stay home before the attack, police in New Mexico say.

"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 Tuesday night.

Authorities say that the 12-year-old suspect used a .20-gauge shotgun in the shooting at Berrendo Middle School in Roswell that left two students wounded Tuesday, according to the Albuquerque News Journal. A teacher persuaded the suspect to drop the weapon.

As of Wednesday morning, an 11-year-old boy was critically injured and a 13-year-old girl was in satisfactory condition.

Students recalled the panic they experienced on what should have been a normal school day.

"I just saw blood everywhere," Essance Sosa, 12, said Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. "Everyone started screaming and running."

A prayer vigil was held late Tuesday at the Roswell Civic Center.