2 teen girls killed at Arizona school in murder-suicide

Students embrace after leaving campus, Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. after two teens were shot Friday at Independence High School in the Phoenix suburb. Two 15-year-old girls were shot once at the school, but it was not clear what led up to their deaths, Glendale Officer Tracey Breeden told reporters. Authorities were not looking for anyone else, and a gun was found near the bodies, she said. AP Photo

LOS ANGELES, United States—Two teenage girls died Friday at a high school in Arizona in what police called a murder-suicide.

The 15-year-olds, described as close friends and in a relationship, were found lying next to each other under a covered patio near the cafeteria at Independence High School, near Phoenix, police said in a statement.

The teens each sustained a single gunshot and a weapon was found near their bodies along with a suicide note.

“Investigators working the case say evidence found at the scene leads them to believe that one female took the life of the other female before taking her own life,” the statement said.

“Information gathered by detectives reveal the two girls were very close friends, appearing to also be in a relationship.”

Police said they don’t believe any students at the school witnessed the tragedy that took place shortly before 8:00 a.m. (1500 GMT).

The school was placed on lockdown after the shots rang out, with panicked parents rushing to the site for word about their kids.

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