The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has confirmed that at least four people died and nine were injured during a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Sept. 4.
“[At roughly 10:30 a.m.,] officers from multiple law enforcement agencies and Fire/EMS personnel were dispatched to the high school in reference to a reported active shooting,” the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said. “Casualties have been reported, however details on the number or their conditions [are] not available at this time.”
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation stated on social media that its agents were responding to a shooting at the school, later confirming the number of fatalities.
At a press conference on the afternoon of Sept. 4, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey identified the suspect as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School who will be charged as an adult. The four slain victims were identified as two students and two teachers.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told an earlier press conference that officials are investigating the shooting but cautioned that details about the incident are “very fluid” and might not be forthcoming.
“Please let us get the facts that we need to make sure we get this right,” he told a press conference, asking the media for patience. ”This is going to take multiple days for us to get answers as to what happened and why this happened.”
Describing a “chaotic” post-shooting situation at the high school, Smith also said he was not going to answer questions after the press conference’s conclusion.
Apalachee High School was “cleared for dismissal,” and all other Barrow County Schools are on a “soft lockdown” on Sept. 4, according to the Barrow County School System.
WSB-TV helicopter footage taken at the scene showed throngs of students, staff, and parents gathered outside the school in the football stadium. Numerous law enforcement and emergency vehicles were seen on campus, the footage shows.
The governor said that his office will “work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation.”
The school is located about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, the state’s capital and largest city. Because of the area’s proximity to Atlanta, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced that more patrols will be sent to area schools for the remainder of Sept. 4 “out of an abundance of caution.”
Rep. Mike Collins (R-Ga.), who represents the district that encompasses Winder, issued a statement about the incident shortly after it unfolded.
“I have spoken with Sheriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary.”
The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident and is coordinating with law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels.
“I’m devastated for the families who have been affected,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a Sept. 4 press conference, describing the incident as a “terrible tragedy.”
The Epoch Times contacted the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation for comment but received no word back by publication time.
