Police say the two people killed at Sparks middle school were a staff member and a student, who was likely the attacker

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

Two people died and two others were injured in a Nevada school shooting on Monday.

Police said one of the victims was a staff member at Sparks middle school in Sparks, east of Reno. Police chief Mike Mieras said the other person to have died was the suspect, who was thought to be a student.

None of the victims have been identified, but officials said there are "no outstanding suspects".

Police said they received the first report of the incident at 7.16am local time on Monday. Classes were due to begin at 7.30am.

Angela Rambo, a Renown regional medical center spokeswoman, said it was treating two boys who were in critical condition after the shooting.

"It's a tragic day in the city of Sparks," said mayor Geno Martini in a press conference. He said the shooting was an isolated incident. "I want to reiterate again that the city's very safe," Martini said.

The middle school and the adjacent Agnes Risley elementary school were evacuated to Sparks high school, where parents could pick up students. Washoe County school district spokesman Charles Rahn said the middle and elementary schools would be closed for the rest of the day.

Nevada governor Brian Sandoval said in a statement: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific shooting at Sparks middle school this morning. My administration is receiving regular updates and the Nevada highway patrol is assisting at the scene. Kathleen and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims and those affected by these tragic events."

State senator Harry Reid said: "My condolences go out to the victims' families and my thoughts are with the teachers, administrators, parents and students at Sparks middle school, who have experienced a traumatic morning. No words of condolence could possibly ease the pain, but I hope it is some small comfort that Nevada mourns with them. I stand by to be of any assistance if there is anything that can be done and I will continue to monitor the situation."

In March 2006, a 14-year-old opened fire at Pine middle school, less than 10 miles away from the Sparks middle school. The teenager injured a 14-year-old boy and a girl of the same age.

At the evacuation center, parents walked with their arms around their children, some of whom were in tears. "We came flying down here to get our kids," said Mike Fiorica, whose nephew attends the school. "It's really chaotic. You can imagine how parents are feeling. You don't know if your kid's OK."

Sparks, a city of roughly 90,000 that sprung out of the railway industry, lies just east of Reno.

The Associated Press contributed to this report