Teen shot in head during Ky. school shooting in stable condition

A Kentucky 15-year-old shot in the head during a high school shooting that left his girlfriend and another classmate dead is already awake and speaking to loved ones.

Gage Smock was one of more than a dozen students injured when a 15-year-old gunman opened fire into a crowded area of Marshall County High School in Benton before classes began Tuesday morning.

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He suffered a critical gunshot wound to the head but is now in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Hospital in Nashville, his father, Gage Wayne Smock, told USA-Tennessee.

“We’re doing as well as can be expected,” he said, tearfully adding that he’s already been able to talk to his son.

Gage, his father added, had been dating 15-year-old Bailey Holt, who attempted to call her mother amid the shooting rampage. She was one of two students killed in the violent attack.

The other victim, Preston Cope, died at a hospital later Tuesday.

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Smock said he and his wife have been at the Tennessee hospital since their son was transported there the day of the shooting, but expressed gratitude to those at home praying for their family.

“It’s a small town and they’re all coming to gether for us,” he said.

Officials said Wednesday the teen gunman, who has not yet been identified, will be tried as an adult and will be charged with two counts of murder and 12 counts of first-degree assault.