People are evacuated from Chardon High School in Chardon, Ohio, about 30 miles east of Cleveland, after a number of students were shot there at the beginning of the school day Monday. -AP Photo

CHARDON: Gunfire at a high school in the US state of Ohio injured a number of students Monday morning, and at least one suspect has been taken into custody, officials said.

The shooting was reported around Monday morning at the 1,100-student Chardon High School about 30 miles (50 kilometers) east of Cleveland, said Civil Deputy Erin Knife. She didn't know the number of victims, but multiple news reports cited four students shot.

Television news footage showed anxious parents escorting children away from a school building, and ambulances could be seen outside.

Superintendent Joseph Bergant II told television station WKYC that the culprit is in custody. He said he didn't know the extent of the students' injuries.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland's MetroHealth System said a medical helicopter was dispatched to the high school. Schools in the area were locked down.

Bob Herp, a Chardon trauma nurse, was at a command scene at a local Wal-Mart store where he said helicopters were on the ground. Chardon is a city of about 5,100 residents.