A horrific shooting unfolded at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, leading to a lockdown after officials reported gunfire on the premises. CNN reports that at least four individuals have died and another 30 have been injured in the tragic event.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one suspect has been taken into custody following the shooting. A statement from the sheriff’s office detailed that law enforcement and emergency medical teams were dispatched to the high school shortly before 10:30 am, responding to reports of an active shooter.
While the school has been declared clear and students have been released to their families, the exact number of casualties and their conditions remain unconfirmed at this time. The local community is shaken, and the school has promised to provide more details as they become available.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his concern on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, stating: “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.”
Governor Kemp also mentioned that state officials are working closely with local, state, and federal agencies to further understand and manage the response to this crisis. The FBI’s Atlanta office has also been involved, with agents on the scene to assist local law enforcement.
The community awaits further information as attempts to reach the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and the school for comments were not immediately successful.
Apalachee High School, which opened its doors in 2000, is the second-largest public high school in Barrow County, home to approximately 1,900 students. It is named after the nearby Apalachee River at the southern boundary of the county.
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