A horribly tragic day unfolded in Barrow County, Georgia, as a high school shooting claimed four lives and left nine others injured. The incident took place at Apalachee High School, located about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, on Wednesday morning, putting the school on lockdown, as reported by Fox News.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed the fatalities and said that the injured individuals were taken to various hospitals. The suspect, identified as a 14-year-old, is alive and has been taken into custody. It’s still unclear whether the shooter attended the school.

Barrow County Sheriff Judd Smith briefed reporters in the afternoon, emphasizing that the investigation remains “very, very fluid.” Smith confirmed “multiple injuries” but refrained from providing specific details about fatalities at the time, asking for patience as the situation unfolds.

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Emergency personnel from several law enforcement agencies, along with Fire/EMS teams, were dispatched to the high school around 10:23 a.m. in response to reports of an active shooter.

Footage from the scene showed first responders aiding victims outside the school, with officers securing the perimeter. The FBI has also become involved, acknowledging their awareness of the situation.

#BREAKING: 4 innocents dead, 30 others grievously injured after mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia of United States. The shooting suspect is now in police custody. More details are awaited. pic.twitter.com/Rn0awrAf0m

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 4, 2024

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp called for prayers, stating, “I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School.”

He pledged to continue working closely with local, state, and federal partners to address the tragedy and ensure the safety of students.

Sheriff Smith confirmed that authorities are working to reunite students with their families. However, no questions were taken during the press briefing, leaving many looming questions unanswered.

Attorney General Merrick Garland also addressed the situation, confirming that both the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are on the scene. “I’m devastated for the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy,” Garland said in a separate press conference.

The scene at the high school was one of heartbreak and fear, as parents rushed to locate their children. Erin Clark, the mother of a senior at Apalachee, shared her panic after receiving text messages from her son. “School shooting. I’m scared,” her son, Ethan Haney, texted her. Clark immediately left work and raced to the school, eventually reuniting with her son at the football field, as reported by CNN.

Though the investigation is still in its early stages, it is clear that this incident will leave a lasting impact on the community.

This piece was written by LifeZette News Staff on September 4, 2024. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.

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