Name of Harrisburg Shooter Released

Authorities have released the name of the 16-year-old Harrisburg High School student who took a shot at his principal Wednesday morning wounding him in his arm.

Mason T. Buhl of Sioux Falls has been charged with first-degree attempted murder and will be charged as an adult.

Lincoln County State's Attorney Tom Wollman made the announcement at the Sioux Falls Police Department's daily briefing.  Wollman says the law requires a juvenile to be tried as an adult with a class two or higher charge, which qualifies this case.

While authorities continue to investigate the shooting, Superintendent Jim Holbeck did say that Buhl had gotten into trouble on Friday and was scheduled to meet with Principal Kevin Lein on Wednesday.  Buhl was new to Harrisburg High School this year.  Pierre School Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt has confirmed that Buhl attended school in Pierre for three years before moving to Sioux Falls over the summer and attending Harrisburg High School.

Following the shooting, Lein was transported to a hospital with a flesh wound on his arm. He was back at work Thursday morning as students returned to class.

After hearing gunfire, Assistant Principal Ryan Rollinger is credited with tackling Buhl to the ground, where he and Activities Director Joey Struwe held Buhl down until law enforcement arrived.

Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson says response time was only 31 seconds from the time the emergency button was pushed and the first officer arrived.  The Minnehaha Swat team was already suited up for a training exercise just a few miles away.

Buhl has been in custody at the Juvenile detention center since the incident and is scheduled to appear before Judge Zell at 2:00 PM on Thursday October 1, 2015.

Authorities confirmed it was a handgun used in the shooting, but would not give a further description.