On Wednesday morning, the Apalachee High School, in Winder, Georgia, went into lockdown due to “an active shooter situation.” A suspect, who allegedly opened fire inside the building around 10:30 a. m., is now in custody, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. At least four people were killed and 30 were injured in the shooting, a law enforcement source said to CNN. But it is unclear how many of the injured were wounded by gunshots.
Grady Health System in Atlanta, one hour away from the school, confirmed to CNN that they had received one gunshot wound victim who had been transported by helicopter. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that multiple people were injured, but the information is subject to change, and it could take days to get answers on the shooting. “We are asking for your patience. The investigation is very, very fluid and in the early stages,” Sheriff Jud Smith said to press.
The suspect in custody is 14 years old, but it is unclear if they attended the school or sneaked in after classes started Wednesday morning. Their identity was not shared.
Aerial footage of the school shows people gathered at the athletic field shielded by police officers, and at least five ambulances are there as well. The FBI in Atlanta said in a statement on its Facebook page that, as a result, they intervened to assist and coordinate parents taking their children from the school.
Officers received a call from the school around 10:30 a.m. Meanwhile, the administration sent a message to parents stating, “Apalachee High School is currently in a hard lockdown after reports of gunfire. Law enforcement is here. Please do not attempt to come to the school at this time while officers work to secure the area.” Consequently, before noon all schools throughout Barrow County, which serves about 15,340 students in total, went into lockdown as a “precautionary measure,” according to the sheriff’s office.
