BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — A tragic shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Barrow County on Wednesday morning, resulting in multiple casualties. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a suspect is in custody, and an investigation is ongoing.
According to NBC News, the incident has left two people dead and four others injured. Grady Hospital in Atlanta confirmed receiving one patient, though their condition remains unclear. Meanwhile, Northeast Georgia Medical Center reported that one patient was transported to their facility in Winder, while another was taken to their larger hospital in Gainesville.
As a precaution, students were being released to parents and guardians by 11:33 a.m. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office stated that officers from multiple agencies responded at 10:23 a.m. to reports of an active shooter.
There have been unconfirmed reports concerning other schools in the area. The principal of Holsenbeck Elementary, Aperil Sellers, announced on Facebook that all district schools were under a soft lockdown.
“The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office has implemented this lockdown for everyone’s safety. We cannot release students during a lockdown, but will provide updates as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Principal Aperil Sellers in a post.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed their involvement via social media, stating, “GBI has responded to a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. We have agents on site assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement with the investigation. One suspect is in custody. We urge anyone near the area to stay clear while authorities investigate.”
Governor Brian Kemp also addressed the situation, saying, “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.”
The White House issued a statement indicating that President Biden has been briefed by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, on the shooting and that the administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as more information becomes available.
The FBI’s Atlanta office is also aware of the situation, with agents on the scene to assist.
The school is located on Haymon Morris Road, just outside Winder city limits in Barrow County. Nearby schools, including Haymon Morris Middle School, Yargo Elementary School, and Cadence Academy Preschool, were also affected, though the extent of the impact is not yet clear.
This is a developing story, and more details will be provided as they emerge.