Two students have been killed in a shooting attack at Aztec High School in Aztec, New Mexico. The attacker was killed by police. All area schools were placed on lockdown.

Three people are dead, San Juan County Sheriff Ken Christesen said, according to the Albuquerque Journal. He said they are believed to be students. It was clarified later that the number includes the shooter.

KOB-TV initially reported two people were been shot, in addition to the attacker. Citing local officials, KRQE reported that the shooter was in police custody.



HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: The San Juan County Sheriff's Office confirms to @kob4 a shooting at Aztec High School in Northern #NewMexico this AM. Working to learn more. pic.twitter.com/AuOAMmvorx — Erica Zucco 🇺🇸 (@ericazucco) December 7, 2017

Police in nearby Bloomfield and Farmington placed the schools on preventive lockdown.

"We are aware that there is an active shooter at Aztec High School," police from nearby Bloomfield said on Facebook. "We do have officers located at all of the schools in Bloomfield and they are all on lock down. Parents are advised to please stay away from all of the schools until further notice."

Students at Aztec High were evacuated by police, and parents were asked to pick them up, the San Juan County sheriff's office said.

Families and friends of students of Aztec High School are gathered outside city hall, following a shooting at the school@KOB4 pic.twitter.com/7kjG7ZNITV — Meg Hilling (@meghilling) December 7, 2017

Aztec is a community of 6,700 residents, located in rural northwestern New Mexico, about 180 miles from Albuquerque.