By At least two people were killed and four wounded in a school shooting approximately an hour outside of Atlanta on Wednesday, according to preliminary information from law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation.
The shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one suspect is in custody following the incident, which unfolded shortly before 10:30 a.m.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, speaking at a news conference, confirmed “multiple injuries” but declined to provide specific details, stating it would take “multiple days” to determine exactly what happened. “Every minute, it’s developing on what we’re finding,” Smith said, describing the event as an “evil thing.”
Emergency responders, including officers from multiple law enforcement agencies and Fire/EMS personnel, rushed to the scene after reports of an active shooting. Helicopter footage showed dozens of emergency vehicles surrounding the school campus.
Students were evacuated to the school’s football stadium as authorities worked to reunite them with their parents. Erin Clark, 42, whose son Ethan is a senior at the school, described the chaotic scene. Clark said her son texted her about an active shooter, prompting her to leave work immediately. “I’m so proud of him for doing that,” she said, referring to her son’s actions to barricade the classroom door and hide with classmates.
Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta confirmed it was treating one gunshot victim from the incident.
FBI agents from the Atlanta field office were dispatched to assist local authorities, underscoring the severity of the situation. The FBI’s Atlanta office stated, “Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp directed all available state resources to respond to the incident, urging Georgians to pray for the safety of those affected. The White House reported that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the situation by his Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall.
The shooting has prompted increased security measures in other areas, with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announcing heightened patrols of schools in the city “for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution.”
Apalachee High School, which opened in 2000, has approximately 1,900 students and is Barrow County’s second-largest public high school. The school year had begun just over a month ago, adding to the shock of the community.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement officials are expected to provide more details. The incident has left the community grappling with fears about school safety, with parents like Erin Clark expressing uncertainty about sending their children back to school.
