A teenage boy has killed two classmates and wounded at least 12 people after opening fire with a handgun at a Kentucky high school.

The unnamed 15-year-old, who has been arrested, is alleged to have carried out the attack at Marshall County High School in Benton, western Kentucky.

The two students who died were also 15, according to Kentucky governor Matt Bevin.

One of the victims died at the scene and the other after being taken to a hospital.

Another 12 people were shot and five suffered other injuries during Tuesday's shooting, which happened at the start of the school day.


Kentucky's police commissioner, Rick Sanders, said five people were in a critical condition.

Witnesses reported seeing students running away and the school was placed in lockdown.

"The incident began when a 15-year-old student armed with a handgun entered the high school and started shooting," Mr Sanders said.

Police were on the scene within 10 minutes and the suspect was arrested.

Dusty Kornbacher, who owns a shop next to the school, said: "There were people everywhere, hugging and crying, and had their phones out, trying to get in touch with their children and loved ones.

"It's shocking because you never think it's going to happen here. I'm sure that Sandy Hook and other places feel the same way, but yet we're almost jaded because there's so many."

It is the first fatal school shooting in the US in 2018.

The arrested boy has been charged with two counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.