School shooting in southern Philippines kills 2 students and gunman, wounds 8 others

A shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato province, southern Philippines, on Friday left two 14-year-old students and a 16-year-old gunman dead, with at least eight others wounded.

The gunman, after telling classmates to leave following lunch period, opened fire in an adjacent classroom with a 9mm pistol belonging to his father, a Department of Education employee. He then shot himself. Authorities are investigating the shooter's membership in an online "true crimes community" where school shootings are documented.

Police secured the campus and coordinated with school officials and medical responders. The gunman's mother had wanted to bring him to a psychiatrist, according to his school adviser.