5th September, 2024
Four people were killed, and nine others hospitalized following a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning, according to officials.
The suspected gunman, identified as a 14-year-old student at the high school, was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
According to CNN, authorities have yet to determine the motive behind the attack, with Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith cautioning that it could take “multiple days” to uncover the full details.
The victims of the tragic shooting include two students and two teachers, as confirmed by Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey. Nine others were wounded and are currently receiving treatment.
The 14-year-old suspect will be charged with murder and is expected to be tried as an adult, authorities said.
Law enforcement sources revealed that the high school received a phone threat earlier in the day, warning that there would be shootings at five schools, with Apalachee High School being the first target.
The first reports of the shooting came in around 10:20 a.m., prompting a swift response from law enforcement and two school resource officers who were on duty at the school.
The suspect was confronted by the resource officers and surrendered without resistance, Hosey said.
A student, Lyela Sayarath, recounted that the suspect had left the classroom at the beginning of their Algebra 1 class.
When he returned near the end of the class, he knocked to be let in. Another student noticed the gun and did not open the door. The suspect then moved to the adjacent classroom and opened fire.
The FBI and the ATF are working alongside local and state officials as the investigation continues, according to Attorney General Merrick Garland.
As a precaution, all schools in the district were placed on lockdown following the shooting, although no additional incidents were reported.
The Barrow County school system has announced that schools will remain closed for the rest of the week while the investigation unfolds.
