Georgia school shooting: At least 4 dead, multiple injured; student-aged suspect in custody

A northern Georgia high school shooting reportedly left at least four people dead and approximately 30 injured, authorities said on Wednesday, September 4. The fatal shooting incident comes over a month after Barrown Country students resumed classes on August 1.

The Barrow County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Fox News that it was an active shooter situation, as multiple law enforcement agencies and responders were deployed to the school around 10:30 am local time. Since then, Apalachee High School in Winder has been on lockdown as a “precautionary measure." Students were ultimately released around 11:30 am, a Barrow County School District spokesperson told The New York Post.

Schools in the county are on lockdown

“Apalachee High School is currently in a hard lockdown after reports of gunfire. Law enforcement is here. Please do not attempt to come to the school at this time while officers work to secure the area,” the school sent the message to parents, according to Athens Banner-Herald. Meanwhile, other schools in the county were put on a “soft lockdown,” ABC News reported.

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Multiple others suffered gunshot wounds on Wednesday morning. Two injured individuals were seen being loaded into an air ambulance. Casualty numbers are reportedly growing.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, Grady Memorial Hospital confirmed at 12:20 pm they had received a gunshot victim – transported by helicopter – from the school. Although several victims were rushed to the hospital, law enforcement has yet to provide more details on the matter.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said the investigation was in its early stages and declined to release a specific number after mentioning “multiple injuries.” He added at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, "This is going to take multiple days for us to get answers as to what happened and why this happened.”

At least one person of student age is in custody. It remains unclear if they attended Apalachee High School.

Pictures of the Georgia high school showed dozens of police vehicles on the lawns, while officials urged students to convene in the athletic field area for safety measures.

School district and Georgia governor release statements about deadly shooting

The school district released a statement: “The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office says this is for the safety of everyone right now. Please do not visit your child’s school at this time. We cannot release students during a lockdown. “We will let you know as soon as BCSO says it is all clear for dismissal.”

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“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," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in a statement.

“We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.”

FBI Atlanta is reportedly also privy to the situation and supporting local authorities.

Pictures of the Georgia high school showed dozens of police vehicles on the lawns, while officials urged students to convene in the athletic field area for safety measures.

School district and Georgia governor release statements about deadly shooting

The school district released a statement: “The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office says this is for the safety of everyone right now. Please do not visit your child’s school at this time. We cannot release students during a lockdown. “We will let you know as soon as BCSO says it is all clear for dismissal.”

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“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," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said in a statement.

“We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.”

FBI Atlanta is reportedly also privy to the situation and supporting local authorities.

This is a developing story.

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