One student was shot, but is in stable condition, following a shooting at Mattoon High School Wednesday.

Officials said evidence indicates the shooter, who was a student, was acting alone. He was detained and placed into custody.

At approximately 11:32 p.m. Wednesday morning the Mattoon Police Department responded to multiple calls of shots fired at Mattoon High School.

The suspect fired shots in the school cafeteria.

He was then subdued by a teacher and disarmed by the school resource officer.

Emergency procedures were activated and students and staff evacuated the high school as a result, Larry Lilly, superintendent of the Mattoon School District, said at a press conference.

Lilly said he visited the student in the hospital.

He reported that the student was in stable condition and “in good spirits.”

Mattoon Police chief Jeff Branson said one of the numerous rounds fired struck the student who was trying to evacuate the cafeteria.

The injured student’s parents were notified, and all others were transferred to Riddle Elementary School to be released to their parents.

“We are saddened that this event has happened and we will provide counseling services to students in need,” Lilly said.

He said school officials will continue to work with emergency personnel to determine what happened.

Officials did not release the name of the injured student or the teacher who subdued the shooter.

Mattoon High School will be on an early dismissal schedule Thursday, ending the day at 12:09 p.m.

All other schools will have regular hours. Parents of any students who wish to keep their child home will be given an excused absence.

Lilly said counselors, local clergy and police officers will be available to students and staff to provide comfort and counseling.

Mattoon Police Department will be present at the high school in the coming days so families and students feel safe, Branson said.

UPDATE 1:43 p.m.

According to the Mattoon Community Unit School District’s Facebook page,about 250-300 students returned to Mattoon High School on Thursday. They gathered in the gymnasium, where Principal Rich Stuart encouraged students and staff to continue supporting each other.

Students and staff were dealing their emotions in the aftermath of the shooting, the Facebook page stated.

Students at area schools, such as Taylorville, Arcola and Tuscloa, posted pictures of themselves wearing green in support of Mattoon High School. Taylorville High School students posted a video of themselves playing Mattoon’s fight song.

A GoFundMe account, meant to raise money to increase the security and safety at local schools, was started after the shooting. According to the account’s page, every dollar from the fund will be given to area schools for enhancements to their security.

The News staff can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].