At least four people have died and dozens more have been injured following a shooting at a high school in Georgia.
Helicopter video from local news channel WSB-TV showed dozens of law enforcement and emergency vehicles surrounding Apalachee High School in Barrow County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.
CNN reported that four had died and around 30 others were believed to be injured.
At a brief press conference Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith described the incident as “evil” but said that the situation remained “very fluid.” “We’re not releasing any information as far as injuries, but we have multiple injuries. This is a very, very fluid investigation. It’s very early,” he said.
Smith also confirmed that a suspect had been taken into custody following the incident.
“We’re in the process of reunifying our students with their parents. Obviously, that’s chaotic, but we want to be respectful of them and their privacy as well,” Smith added.
Georgia governor Brian Kemp, the FBI and the White House are all monitoring the situation as it continues to unfold.
Democratic vice presindential nominee Tim Walz also acknowldged the “tragic” incident ahead of a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
Key Points
Four dead and dozens injured – report
18:40 , Mike Bedigan
CNN has reported that four people have died and around 30 others were believed to be injured in the shooting.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith did not provide exact details on the number of victims.
Sheriff describes ‘very fluid’ and ‘evil’ situation
18:35 , Mike Bedigan
At a brief press conference Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith described the incident as “evil” and confirmed that multiple people were injured in the shooting.
“We’re not releasing any information as far as injuries, but we have multiple injuries. This is a very, very fluid investigation. It’s very early,” he said.
Smith also confirmed that at suspect was in custody.
Watch: Walz says ‘work to be done’ in light of ‘tragic’ Georgia school shooting
18:30 , Mike Bedigan
Tim Walz says Georgia shooting is ‘tragic’ while on campaign trail
18:25 , Mike Bedigan
Tim Walz acknowldged the “tragic” incident at the Georgia high school ahead of a campaign event in Pennsylvania.
“Before we get started, our team just briefed me on this, we have a school shooting going on in Georgia at this time – we’re on it, and the White House has been briefed on it,” he said.
“This is tragic. We don’t know any of the details on it yet, but it’s a situation that’s all too common and and our hearts are out there right now… Our work needs to be to prevent these in the future as we know. I know it’s a little bit of a heavy heart for all.”
Local hospital receives victim with gunshot wound
18:20 , Mike Bedigan
A Grady Health System spokesperson told NBC that the hospital has so far received one gunshot would victims from Apalachee High School.
Grady Hospital is about an hour’s drive from the school, according to the outlet.
Atlanta Mayor issues statement on Barrow County school shooting
18:15 , Mike Bedigan
In a statement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said: “My prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence in Winder, Georgia.
“I have been in contact with Chief Schierbaum, and the Atlanta Police Department has been working with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to bolster patrols around our schools for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution.
“APD has also been on standby in case law enforcement agencies need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their loved ones in the difficult days ahead.”
Students evacuated from Apalachee High School
18:10 , Mike Bedigan
All schools in county placed on lockdown following shooting
18:05 , Mike Bedigan
All schools in Barrow County were briefly placed on lockdown as the situation unfolds.
The Barrow County School System is the 24th largest school district in the state, per the district’s website. It serves about 15,340 students.
Some 1,900 students attend Apalachee High School, which is 40 miles outside of Atlanta.
Statement from Georgia Governor
18:00 , Mike Bedigan
I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and 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. (1/2)
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) September 4, 2024
We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation. (2/2)
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) September 4, 2024
Joe Biden briefed on the situation in Georgia
17:55 , Mike Bedigan
A statement from the White House said that president Joe Biden was aware of the unfolding situation in Barrow County, Georgia.
“President Biden has been briefed by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, on the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia and his administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information,” the statement read.
Student recall learning of active shooter situation
17:50 , Mike Bedigan
A student from the Apalachee High School recalled hearing someone “pounding” on the door of his classroom, shortly after being informed by a teacher that there was an active shooter.
Senior Sergio Caldera, 17, told ABC News that he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots at 11 am.
“My teacher goes and opens the door to see what’s going on. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because there’s an active shooter,” he said, adding that the teacher locked the door and the students ran to the back of the room.
Caldera said they heard screams from outside as they “huddled up.”
At some point, Caldera said someone pounded on his classroom door and shouted “open up!” multiple times. When the knocking stopped, Caldera said he heard more gunshots and screams.
Parents rush to pick up their kids after casualties reported at Georgia high school
17:45 , Mike Bedigan
A Georgia high school was placed on lockdown following reports of an active shooter situation.
Authorities are now responding to Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, after gunshots were reported.
The situation is still developing. Read more here:
Active shooter reported at Georgia high school as responders rush to scene
Authorities on the scene of Georgia high school shooting
17:40 , Mike Bedigan
Two dead and at least four injured – reports
17:35 , Mike Bedigan
Outlets including NBC and MSNBC are reporting that at least two people are dead and four are injured.
Authorities are yet to provide details on the exact number of victims or casualties, or further information about the shooter.
Georgia Governor and FBI aware of shooting situation
17:30 , Mike Bedigan
Governor Brian Kemp and the FBI are both aware of the situation in Barrow County.
Kemp said he has “directed all available state resources” to the school, adding: “We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.”
“FBI Atlanta is aware of the current situation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County,” the bureau said in a statement. “Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.”
Active shooter reported at Georgia high school as responders rush to scene
17:25 , Mike Bedigan
People airlifted off campus – reports
17:20 , Mike Bedigan
Fox 5 reported witnessing at least two people being airlifted off the campus as the situation unfolded.
Dozens of law enforcement officers have responded and emergency responders are treating people at the school. At least six ambulances are on the scene as of noon local time, according to WSBTV.
Suspect in custody as high school remains on lockdown
17:15 , Mike Bedigan
There is a suspect in custody after students following reports of an active shooter at a Georgia high school, which has resulted in an unspecified number of casualties, according to local outlets.
Students have been evacuated from Apalachee High School in Barrow County, which remains on lockdown.
Aerial footage shows students gathering at football stadium
17:10 , Mike Bedigan
Helicopter video from local news channel WSB-TV showed dozens of law enforcement and emergency vehicles surrounding Apalachee High School in Barrow County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.
Students could also be seen in the footage gathering in the school’s football stadium.
The number of victims is still uncertain.
‘Active shooting’ reported at Georgia high school
17:04 , Mike Bedigan
An “active shooter situation” has been reported at a Georgia high school.
Authorities are now responding to Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, which is in lockdown after gunshots were reported. All schools in the county are on lockdown as the situation unfolds.
Follow The Independent’s live coverage of the unfolding situation here.
Source Agencies
