The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that at least four people were killed and nine others were hospitalized with injuries after students at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, were evacuated following a shooting on Wednesday. A suspect is in police custody.
According to local authorities, all schools in Barrow County, near Atlanta, have been placed on lockdown due to an unspecified threat. The total number of victims and details of their condition have not yet been confirmed.
At around 10:20 a.m. ET, officials from multiple agencies and emergency responders were dispatched to the school after reports of an active shooter. About an hour later, the school was evacuated and students were released to their families. Police officers and emergency responders were seen on campus, and at least two people were placed in helicopters to be flown to hospitals, local news station WSB-TV reported.
The FBI branch in Atlanta also said it was helping to investigate the events at the school.
Representatives for the school and the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Yahoo News’ request for comment.
A 17-year-old student told ABC News he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots. He said his chemistry teacher locked the door while the rest of the class huddled in the back. The student said he heard gunshots and screaming, and at one point someone banged on the classroom door and yelled “open up” several times. The student and his class were later evacuated to the soccer field.
At a brief press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith described the investigation as “very, very patchy” and still in its early stages. Smith confirmed “several injuries” but did not provide a specific number or details on the severity of the injuries.
“What you see behind us today is something evil,” he said.
President Biden issued a statement in response to the shooting, saying, “What should have been a joyful back-to-school celebration in Winder, Georgia, has now become another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning to duck and take cover instead of learning to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal.”
Attorney General Merrick Garland told reporters he was “devastated” by the “terrible tragedy.”
“We are still gathering information, but the FBI and ATF are on the scene working with state, local and federal partners,” Garland said. “The Department of Justice stands ready to provide resources or assistance to the Winder community in the coming days.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp wrote on X: “I have deployed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and I urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state. We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners as we gather information and continue to respond to this situation.”
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
