A 14-year-old boy has been killed in a school shooting that took place Wednesday in Toronto, police said.

"The event that took place today is a very serious matter. A young student lost his life in this school, and it should be a safe environment for everyone," Police Chief Bill Blair told reporters.

The young victim was reportedly hit once at 2:30 p.m. at C.W. Jefferys Collegiate Institute located in the city's north end. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries but doctors were unable to save him.

The victim was shot while on the second floor of the school near a swimming pool, but it is unclear what type of weapon was used, police said.

The school with 850 students has been locked down following the incident, but nearby roads have not been closed to traffic.

Heavily-armed tactical officers and police dogs are scouring the classrooms and corridors for threats. It was not known if the gunman was still inside the school as the police search began.

The incident is not a situation in which a gunman is roaming the halls, police said earlier.

School violence is considered relatively rare in Canada. The latest shooting took place last September in Montreal, when a student was killed and 19 injured.

Editor: Yan