Maggie chose paths that had cover and made sure to run towards places that were not crowded, keeping as far away from the black people as possible.

"Bang!"

Amidst the sound of gunfire, the two of them managed to escape the campus without harm.

Maggie looked around to take in the situation.

The chubby kid, exhausted, plopped down on the ground. "Maggie, you're really amazing."

"Jack, you need to lose weight."

The chubby kid "..."

...

Robbery and Murder Department.

An office at the squadron.

Luke was reviewing the information Matthew had brought over.

The name on the document was Cabin Posia.

It was the little thief who had stolen Luke's Harley, and the person Luke intended to sue for compensation.

Luke didn't plan to send it to Daisy but was preparing to deliver it to her in person.

Computers leave traces as soon as they're used, there was no need for that hassle, especially since it wasn't very urgent.

"Ding-a-ling-a-ling..."

Luke's mobile phone rang.

Picking up the phone and seeing it was the chubby kid's number, he answered, "Hello?"

"Bro, there's been a shooting at our school."

"Seriously?"

"Do you hear it carefully?"

"Bang!" Luke faintly heard a burst of gunfire. "Where are you? Are you in danger? Is anyone hurt?"

"I've already run out of the school, no immediate danger. I haven't seen anyone hurt, but I've heard other students shouting that someone was killed!"

"I got it. Hide in a safe place, preferably run towards home. I'm on my way now. Keep in touch if anything happens," Luke said, then strode into the captain's office.

Seeing Luke barge in without knocking, Susan frowned and asked, "What's going on?"

"There's been gunfire at Maraboya High School, suspected casualty."

Susan stood up. "Can you confirm?"

"My brother goes to that school, he just called me. Captain, I need to go check on him."

"Is your brother in danger? Do you need backup?"

"Not for the moment."

"Take Marcus with you for now, keep in touch."

"Alright." Luke then left the office.

...

Twenty minutes later, Luke found the chubby kid and had a few words of comfort, then told him and Maggie to go home.

He then returned to Maraboya High School.

By that time, the school surroundings had already been placed under martial law.

Patrol officers had arrived at the school a few minutes after the gunshots.

There were numerous police cars around, and the area was packed with patrol officers.

Deputy Director Reid and Susan had also arrived on the scene.

Luke found David. "What's going on?"

"Looks like Director Reid wants our team to take over the case."

"When do we organize an attack?"

"Don't know yet, I haven't heard any gunfire since I arrived. Most of the students have run out, but there might still be a few hiding in the corners of the school. It's complicated right now, the shooter might have escaped or could be hiding among these students."

Luke looked over to see Reid, Susan, and a few others in discussion. The special operations team members had also arrived; they would be the main force in the search of the campus,

"How many school shootings have there been this year?"

David sighed. "The sixteenth. If this keeps up, we might surpass last year's count of thirty-four. This restless society..."

Luke pulled out his pistol. "Someone's running out."

"LAPD!"

"Put your hands on your head and walk out."

"Don't run."

"We're not the shooter, we're students."

"For your safety, don't make any sudden moves. We will verify your identities," an officer shouted.

Subsequently, several patrol officers began to frisk the young men and women claiming to be students.

A black male student was somewhat resistant, "I am a student, not a suspect. What gives you the right to frisk me?

I refuse."

"Given the circumstances, to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you, the police have the authority to search you in an emergency. Please cooperate."

As he spoke, the male officer pushed the black male student and began the search when, suddenly, he shouted, "He's got a gun!"

As soon as the words were out, all the officers drew their guns, pointing them at the male student being frisked.

Faced with so many guns, the black male student was immediately dumbfounded.

"Beep, beep..."

A stream of yellow liquid flowed down his legs to the ground.

"Don't shoot, there are no bullets in my gun! I was just playing with it," the black male student yelled.

The surrounding officers had already pinned him down.

Some moved back in disgust.

"Fuck, this kid got scared pissless."

"Haha..." A round of laughter erupted from the crowd.

Reid shouted, "Everyone get serious, this is no time for jokes."

"Luke, immediately interrogate this kid."

"Yes, sir," Luke responded. He had the patrol officers escort the black male student with the gun to the side.

Luke glanced at the student, took the gun from the hands of the patrol officer, checked the magazine, felt the temperature of the barrel, and smelled the air around it. "What's your name?"

"Karim Andes."

"Did you shoot at the school?"

"I didn't shoot. I didn't do anything. The magazine is full. I didn't fire a single shot," he protested.

Luke said, "Having reloaded after shooting doesn't absolve you of suspicion, just because the gun is loaded."

Luke tilted his chin up, speaking to the young black student, "Smell him for gunpowder residue."

The young black officer reluctantly grabbed his arm and sniffed, "All I smell is piss right now."

Modern handguns leave very little gunpowder residue, and even if a gun has been fired, the nose can hardly detect it, requiring further forensic testing.

"Karim, why did you bring a gun?"

"For self-defense, like in today's situation."

"If every student brought a gun to school, it would be chaos. Whose gun is this?"

"I got it from my dad's."

"Did your dad give his permission?"

"No, he doesn't know."

Luke had patrol officers take him for a gunpowder residue test.

The young black officer asked, "Do you think this guy is a problem?"

Luke shook his head, "Not a big problem. If he really were the shooter, he wouldn't use his own gun. He would have disposed of the handgun by now, not carrying it on him for the police to find."

The young black officer nodded, "Is this kid an idiot? Why didn't he drop the gun and run?"

Luke explained, "He couldn't throw it away. No matter where he threw it in the campus, the police could find it. Moreover, if someone else picked up the gun and killed someone with it, he would become a suspect. So, his best bet was to try to sneak it out."

The young black officer wore an 'aha' expression, "Makes sense."

Luke was not as optimistic. According to the description from the chubby kid, the power had been cut before the gunshots.

Meaning the school's surveillance cameras might not have captured the shooter in the act. This would complicate matters significantly.

Just like the black male student with the gun just now, who could guarantee he was entirely without suspicion?

Inside the school, the situation would only be more complex.

The students hiding in some corner of the school awaiting rescue could well be the suspect in disguise.

This greatly increased the difficulty of the search.

Even more important was the need to identify each person to ensure the suspect wasn't released.

Suddenly, Reid's voice rang out, "Prepare for a strong attack!

The Action Bureau will lead, other officers will provide cover, pay attention to identifying the suspect's identity, ensure safety, and avoid accidental injury.

Move out!"

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