Suspect in custody following shooting at Apalachee High School, Georgia

Multiple individuals have been injured, and a suspect is in custody following an “active shooter situation” that prompted a lockdown at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning. Authorities confirmed that emergency calls reporting gunfire started coming in around 9:30 a.m.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith addressed the media, noting that there are “multiple injuries” but did not disclose specific numbers or the nature of the injuries. He refrained from commenting on fatalities during the initial briefing, emphasizing, “This is a very, very fluid investigation.” More detailed updates were promised later in the day.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the shooting incident. In response to the situation, all schools in Barrow County were placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure. The sheriff’s office issued a public statement at around 11:30 a.m. ET, highlighting the ongoing nature of the investigation.

The school administration communicated with parents shortly after the situation unfolded. A message sent at 10:45 a.m. indicated the school was in a “hard lockdown” due to reports of gunfire, with law enforcement on the scene. Parents were urged to avoid coming to the school while officials worked to secure the area.

While official reports on injuries had not been released at the time, news outlets like Fox-5 in Atlanta depicted scenes of chaos. They reported seeing an individual being airlifted for medical treatment. Additionally, WSB-TV confirmed that another person was transported via ambulance.

Aerial footage from local media showed crowds gathering at the school’s athletic field, where a significant police presence was evident. Grady Hospital in Atlanta later confirmed it had received one gunshot wound victim from the incident.

As the situation developed, parents were permitted to reunite with their children at the school, while other institutions in the district remained under a “soft lockdown” for safety reasons. A spokesperson for Barrow County School District emphasized the need for parents to stay away until the lockdown was lifted, stating, “We cannot release students during a lockdown.”

Apalachee High School was the only facility cleared for parental reunification during the incident. The FBI and Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents were present at the scene, working in coordination with local law enforcement to address the occurrence.

Georgia state officials monitored the situation closely and mobilized local and state resources in response. Governor Brian Kemp declared he had activated available state resources to assist at Apalachee High School, urging residents to pray for the safety of those in the classrooms in Barrow County and statewide.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting incident. His administration stated that coordination efforts with federal, state, and local officials would continue as more information became available. Representative Mike Collins, who represents Barrow County in Congress, expressed his concern, sharing that he had communicated with the county sheriff and offered his support.

Collins said, “Leigh Ann and I are praying for the victims, their families, and all students at Apalachee High School in Barrow County,” also extending gratitude to law enforcement for their prompt response to secure the school and apprehend the shooter.

This is an ongoing story, and authorities are expected to provide updates as the investigation progresses.

Source: USA Today