Tragedy strikes Episcopal High School on the Southside as a troubled employee guns down the Head of School and then turns the weapon on himself.

Police say Dale Regan was shot and killed Tuesday by 28-year-old Shane Schumerth, a Spanish teacher who had been fired earlier in the day.

Undersheriff Dwaine Senterfitt with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office says the former teacher came back onto campus with an AK-47 in a guitar case and shot Regan, then himself.

"Everyone is deeply shocked and saddened," says Episcopal Cathedral dean Kate Morehead.  "We're encouraging the parents to hug their children, pray with their children, and pray for Dale."

 No students were hurt, and parents were able to pick up their kids.

Regan had been employed at the school for 34 years, and served as Head of School for 7.

Seventh grade student Brandon Steele says he didn't know what was going on at first, nor did he know the gravity of the situation, but began to realize it when teachers began lockdown protocol.

"A teacher made us stay in class and avoid the windows and not go on our phones...I was really terrified.  A lot of people were crying in the classroom."

Dean Morehead says while faculty and staff are reminding students that Regan is in a better place, but that it's alright to feel angry or sad.

"It's OK to be angry and to be upset.  I think all of us will go through a lot of emotion."

For parents like Shoran Williams, it's their worst nightmare to hear that shots were fired at their child's school.

"My first thought was that I was pregnant with my daughter when Columbine happened and I just thought 'this is just such a crazy world," says Williams, who got a call from her husband at work about the incident.

While she was worried, she says seeing and holding her daughter was all the relief she needed.

"I've had a chance to hug her so I know she's okay, and right now she's with the only other person in this world who loves her as much as I do."

Shortly after hearing the news, Governor Rick Scott and Congressman Ander Crenshaw sent statements showing their condolences of Tuesday's events.

"When I was given the news of the tragic death of Dale Regan today, I joined the entire Jacksonville community in being both shocked and saddened. My thoughts and prayers are with the Regan family and all who were affected by this awful act. I join with the entire state of Florida this evening in mourning the loss of such a wonderful teacher and leader," Governor Scott writes.

As for the suspected shooter, people who knew him say Shane Schumerth was shy, quiet, and unassuming.  He loved politics, and frequently attended meetings for Concerned Taxpayers of Duval County.

"Shane was a little shy, but as far as being lead to believe that he had any interest in weaponry, for example, none.  There was never anything like that," John Winkler with Concerned Taxpayers tells our news partner channel 4.

Shane's Facebook wall shows someone very involved in politics, with links to articles, political sites, and literature on GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, who it appears Schumerth strongly supported.

"It's unbelieveable.  I hope it's not the person that you're saying it is but that's just unbelieveable to me," says Beverly Carter, who lives next door to Schumerth.

A check of Schumerth's criminal history shows only traffic tickets.