Federal agents stand outside the residence of suspected gunman T.J. Lane, who allegedly shot one girl and four boys inside Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio February 27, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

Toll of the attack

After the shooting, three of the victims were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland by Metro LifeFlight. Two of the victims were taken to Cleveland Clinic's Hillcrest Hospital. At an afternoon news conference, McKenna said that one of the victims, 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor, had died.

According to Hillcrest, the victims being treated there are a 17-year-old boy who is listed in serious condition and an 18-year-old girl listed in stable condition. McKenna said that the other two victims were both in critical condition.

In a statement, Parmertor's family described the deceased as "a bright young boy who had a bright future ahead of him."

"The family is torn by this loss." said the statement, asking the family's privacy be respected.

The shooting cast a gloomy spell on Chardon, a city of about 5, 100 resident. All classes in schools across the district had been canceled for the rest of the day, while students were evacuated from the school. Later, authorities also canceled classes for Tuesday. Grief counselors were on hand for students at Chardon Middle School. Vigils were planned for the evening.

After the shooting, Ohio Governor John Kasich issued a statement, offering prayers and praised the law enforcement officers. He also pledged the state's "full support" in the aftermath.

The deadliest high school shooting in US history occurred in 1999 at Columbine High School in Colorado, where two senior students killed 12 students and one teacher. The pair then committed suicide.