The teen who authorities believe was behind a shooting Monday in Chardon, Ohio, that killed one student and wounded four others had violence in his life from early on, Cleveland's Plain Dealer newspaper reported.
Court records showed that the suspect's father, Thomas Lane Jr., had been arrested several times for abusing women he had children with, including the teen's mother, the newspaper reported. The father had been warned to stay away from the teen's mother at least once, the records reportedly showed.
The suspect's family said through an attorney that they were struggling to comprehend what had happened a day after the worst U.S. high school shooting in nearly a year. Students at the high school outside of Cleveland were told to stay home Tuesday.
Police have not formally identified the suspected gunman, but students, parents of students and local media said his name was T.J. Lane, which was confirmed by NBC News.
It was not clear if T.J. Lane and his father had any contact, the newspaper reported.
Sketchy reports emerge on alleged high school gunman
Officials believe T.J. Lane opened fire inside a high school cafeteria at the start of the classes on Monday, killing 16-year-old Daniel Parmertor and wounding four others, police said.
Two of the four wounded students were rushed to Cleveland's MetroHealth hospital where they were said to be in critical
condition, according to Chardon Police Chief Tim McKenna. MetroHealth spokeswoman Shannon Mortland declined on Monday
evening to provide an update on their condition.
A 17-year-old boy, meanwhile, was in serious condition and an 18-year-old girl was stable at Hillcrest Hospital in suburban Cleveland, a spokeswoman said.
The suspect was taken into custody near his car a half-mile from the suburban Cleveland school after a teacher chased him from the building, according to FBI officials.
Students in Chardon, shaken by the worst U.S. high school shooting in nearly a year, were told to stay home on Tuesday.
'Good kid'
When asked about the suspect, his lawyer called him a "good kid," according to NBC News' WKYC.
"By all accounts T.J. is a fairly quiet and good kid. His grades are pretty impressive," Bob Farinacci told WKYC. "He's a sophomore. He's been doubling up on his classes with the intent of graduating this May. He pretty much sticks to himself but does have some friends and has never been in trouble over anything that we know about."
Official: 1 dead, 4 hurt in Ohio school shooting
Some fellow students called the 17-year-old quiet and sweet, although others said he had a temper, the Plain Dealer reported.
His now-deleted Facebook page showed one picture of him bare-chested and glaring at the camera, and another behind a huge teddy bear that bore a heart and the words "Be Mine," according to the newspaper.
He listed "primitive hunting" among his interests, the newspaper said.
The suspect's family said they were struggling to comprehend what had happened.
"The family wanted me to convey to the citizens of Geauga County and Northeastern Ohio that the family is devastated by this most recent event," Farinacci said in a statement. "They want to give their most heartfelt and sincere condolences to the family of the young man who passed and their continuing prayers are with all those who were injured. This is something that could never have been predicted. T.J.'s family has asked for some privacy while they try to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred and while they mourn this terrible loss for their community."
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Msnbc.com staff, NBC News and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
