Lagatar24 Desk
Washington: A tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, has left at least four people dead and over a dozen injured. The suspect, believed to be a 14-year-old boy, has been taken into custody. The incident has once again brought the issue of gun violence in schools to the forefront of national debate.
The shooting occurred around 10:23 a.m. when officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, along with Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel, were dispatched to the high school following reports of an active shooter. The neighborhood surrounding the school was immediately placed under a “hard lockdown” as authorities worked to secure the area.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed its involvement, stating on social media, “We have agents on site assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement with the investigation. One suspect in custody.”
Local news reports indicated that several individuals were injured, with at least one person being evacuated by air ambulance. According to CNN, the shooter, who opened fire inside the school, is a 14-year-old boy, although it is not yet clear if he was a student at Apalachee High School.
In addition to the four fatalities, more than a dozen people were injured, some with gunshot wounds and others hurt while trying to take cover or escape the scene. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Evacuation and Response
Following the shooting, students were evacuated from the high school and were seen huddled on a field near the school premises. The school, located in Winder, about 45 miles northeast of Atlanta, sent out a message to parents, informing them of the lockdown due to reports of gunfire.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith addressed the media, expressing his sorrow over the “evil” event that unfolded. Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia also responded on social media, stating that state agencies were actively involved in managing the situation.
Eyewitness Accounts
ABC News reported an account from a student witness, Sergio Caldera, who was in chemistry class when the gunfire erupted. He described how another teacher ran in to warn them of the active shooter, prompting students and teachers to take cover. Caldera recounted hearing more gunshots and screams as they huddled together before eventually evacuating to the school’s football field.
National Reaction
The White House released a statement saying that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident and that his administration was coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as more information becomes available.
This incident adds to the growing number of school shootings in the United States, which have prompted heated discussions over gun control laws and the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms. The deadliest school shooting in U.S. history occurred at Virginia Tech in 2007, resulting in over 30 deaths.
As investigations continue, the community and the nation mourn yet another instance of senseless violence in schools, sparking renewed calls for changes to U.S. gun laws.
