BROCKTON, Mass. -- A teenager was shot near the Brockton High School gym shortly before 5 p.m., according to officials.

The victim, identified as Lionel Brown, 17, was carried out of the school on a stretcher and was taken to Good Samaritan Medical Center, the Brockton Enterprise reported.

Family members said two of the bullets hit Lionel in his legs and that his injuries were not considered life-threatening.

School Superintendent Matthew Malone said Brown was a student at Brockton High School until a year ago. Malone insisted the public school system is safe despite Wednesday's violence.

"This is our reputation and our honor and we pride ourselves in strong student achievement. So, this hurts," he said.

Witnesses reported hearing as many as seven gunshots before seeing the already wounded victim enter the gym where basketball tryouts were being held.

"We were trying out for basketball. So, you don't expect something like that to happen." - Pierre Celestin, Witness

"We were trying out for basketball. So, you don't expect something like that to happen," said Pierre Celestin, a witness.

Investigators marked seven shell casings on the stairs outside the gym.

Students said they feel more vulnerable to violence at a place where they once felt completely safe.

"This really changes it," Celestin said. "I heard a couple kids say they don't trust anyone now."

Police brought in a K-9 unit to search for the gunman, who was described as a male wearing a Red Sox jacket with a gray hooded shirt underneath and jeans shorts. He was described as a light-skinned black male between the ages of 15 and 19, and stood between 5 feet 7 inches tall and 5 feet 9 inches tall.

"He's described as light-skinned black male wearing a grey (hooded sweatshirt) and a red jacket on top," Brockton police Lt. Paul Bonanca said.

Police said there appeared to be a verbal confrontation on the steps between the two individuals.

About 4,300 students attend the school, according to its Web site.

NewsCenter 5 and TheBostonChannel.com will have more details as they are available.