Student Commits Suicide At Lanier High School In Austin, Texas

A 17-year-old Texas student committed suicide in a high school courtyard on Tuesday, according to multiple media reports.

Austin police confirmed the boy shot himself at Lanier High School some time before 1:30 p.m. local time, KVUE reported.

Meria Carstarphen, superintendent of the Austin Independent School District tweeted, "We are saddened by this tragic loss. Our thoughts are with the family."

School officials told the Statesman the incident took place shortly after noon.

Junior Alex Hernandez told the paper the unidentified student was sitting by himself in the courtyard outside the cafeteria "when he pulled a handgun from his hoodie and shot himself."

Parents were told about the incident via email and phone notifications, KVAN reports.

"My granddaughter called me and told me that there was a shooting at the school. So I couldn't believe it," Linda Joseph told KVAN. "First I teared up a little bit because I thought something might have happened to her and she didn't really want to let me know."

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.