At least 14 students were injured Tuesday in a bizarre stabbing incident at Lone Star College Cy-Fair in which a student apparently ran from building to building cutting people with a sharp knife or pencil, authorities said.
A suspect was detained after a student tackled him running across campus, Harris County deputy Thomas Gilliland tells reporters.
The college, located in Cypress, Texas, near Houston, says the campus remains on lockdown.
A spokesman for the community college says 14 people were injured.
Four victims, reportedly in critical condition, were taken to the hospital by helicopter and others by ambulance.
Gilliland said only that the injuries to four victims "were severe enough to be hospitalized."
The deputy also said that initial report of more than one suspects appears to be inaccurate.
A student identified only as James tells KTRK-TV in Houston that he helped authorities take one person into custody. He says the suspect, who appeared to be a student, may be hearing impaired, and was armed with a knife similar to an exacto knife, that may be used in animal dissections.
James says he saw the suspect, dressed in black, emerge from the building at a run, and he gave chase. When tackled, the suspect reportedly said, 'I give up, I give up.' James adds that he saw several people bleeding, including some victims with neck wounds. They were tended to by medical crews.
Students were held inside classrooms as the campus went into lockdown. One student told Eyewitness News he held a prayer circle with students in his classroom. Other people who appear to be students could be seen walking calmly to their vehicles in the parking lot. Deputies are searching each vehicle before they are allowed to leave campus.
Alan Bernstein, Director of Public Affairs for the college, says the campus remains a crime scene.
"It's going to take a massive number of people and a decent amount of time before the final all clear comes down," he says.
On its website, splashed with a big red ":Alert!"sign, told students to stay indoors.
"Stay away from the area," the college advised its students. "Seek shelter in a secure location until the incident is resolved."
KHOU-TV quotes a student, Margo Shimfarr-Evans, as saying the incident took place in a lab at the Health Science Center.
Two people were shot at another Lone Star College campus in January.