Death Toll Climbing After Shooting At Georgia High School (Update)

A suspect is in custody after a shooting inside Apalachee High School in Georgia. CNN reports that at least four people have died, and about 30 sustained injuries as a result of the September 4 incident.

Local law enforcement has not revealed official numbers yet. In a statement, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a suspect was arrested but gave no additional details about the person’s identity.  However, CNN has cited a source who claims the detainee is “of student age.” At this time, further information about the alleged student suspect and their ties to the Georgia high school remain unclear.

Additionally, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith declined to give details about those injured in the shooting. “What you see behind us is an evil thing,” Sheriff Smith said during a press conference outside the school on Wednesday.

Here’s What Happened At Apalachee High School

Georgia’s Apalachee High School is located in Barrow County, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta. According to records from Georgia education officials, the school has about 1,900 students. It became Barrow County’s second-largest public high school when it opened in 2000 and is named after the Apalachee River in the county.

It’s only been a little over a month since the high schoolers returned from summer break. Shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies and Fire/EMS personnel received dispatch orders for Apalachee.

According to the Associated Press, students sought shelter in the high school’s football stadium as local officers swarmed the campus.

How Officials Have Responded To The Georgia School Shooting

Helicopter video from WSB-TV showed dozens of law enforcement and emergency vehicles surrounding the impacted Georgia high school. According to AP, traffic going to the school was backed up for more than a mile as parents tried to get to their children.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has already addressed the school shooting in a statement.

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

Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens has called for additional patrols of Atlanta schools “for the rest of the day.” Dickens said the call is “out of an abundance of caution.”

The FBI’s Atlanta office has also responded to the shooting. Their statement said, “FBI Atlanta is aware of the current situation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.”

AP adds that President Biden’s Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, has advised him on the Georgia high school incident.

This is a breaking story. Stay tuned for live updates.  

Associated Press staff Jeff Amy contributed to this report.