The victim, Jordan Manners, was taken to Sunnybrook hospital with critical injuries after the shooting at 2:30 p.m. The Grade 9 student had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest.

Witnesses say there was a fight outside the school before the shooter followed the victim inside, where Jordan was shot.

Police tape still surrounded the school at 8 p.m. and forensic investigators were expected to work into the night. The school was due to open again Thursday morning with grief counsellors called in to talk to students and staff.

The victim was found in school hallway, Blair said.

"It's shocking that such an event can take place in our schools," he told reporters.



They were in the library with about 30 people.

In the hours after the shooting, several discussion groups popped up on the online network website Facebook.com, with students posting messages dedicated to the young victim.

"I spoke to him this morning and told him to keep up his grades," said the man, a former teacher. "He was an amazing handyman. He could tear apart and put together a bike in minutes."