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UPDATES: State leaders respond to Apalachee High School shooting that killed 4, hurt 9 in Barrow County
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LISTEN: GPB’s Grant Blankenship spoke with people on site, including a 1st Infantry Division Desert Storm veteran waiting for his grandkids to be released from the lockdown, and more.
Georgia law enforcement responded to an incident Wednesday morning at Apalachee High School in Barrow County following the school being placed on lockdown after an on-campus shooting that killed four and injured nine more, according the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI held a press conference briefing on site around 4:30 p.m., reporting that police responded on the scene minutes after the shooting.
GBI director Chris Hosey said that of the four killed, two were students and two were teachers.
The shooter has been identified as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the high school, who will be tried as an adult.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said he was not aware of a connection between the shooter and the victims. The investigation is active and still ongoing.
The sheriff’s office is asking for tips on anything and sends their sympathies to the community.
Wednesday morning, students and faculty were evacuated to the football stadium as the school was placed on lockdown.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office confirmed reports of casualties and injured victims.
Gov. Brian Kemp put out a statement that he was directing state resources to respond to the area.
FBI agents were also on scene, per a statement:
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.
The GBI confirmed that one suspect is in custody and urged people in the area to stay clear.
Victims were rushed to the emergency room in Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.
By midday and early afternoon, police focused on the process of reuniting families and students.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said the Atlanta Police Department (APD) is on standby if there is need for assistance.
My prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence in Winder, Georgia. I have been in contact with Chief Schierbaum, and the Atlanta Police Department has been working with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to bolster patrols around our schools for the rest of the day out of an abundance of caution. APD has also been on standby in case law enforcement agencies need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their loved ones in the difficult days ahead.
GBI confirmed that four people were killed in the shooting and nine were taken to local hospitals with injuries.
GPB's Sofi Gratas reported that one patient was transported to Grady Medical Center in Atlanta with gunshot wounds according to a hospital spokesperson. Another victim with gunshot wounds was transported nearby to Northeast Georgia Medical Center's facility in Barrow County, with another sent further to the NGMC Level 1 trauma center in Gainesville.
Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock issued his response to the shooting via X, formerly known as Twitter, in a thread:
Apalachee student Stephanie Folgar told GPB's Chase McGee she heard four pops, hid in the bathroom, and realized it wasn’t a drill when a teacher told her nothing was scheduled for today.
“Some people were crying," Folgar said. "They said they felt like something was about to happen to them. We heard some screaming from other students from the other hallway and we just had to stay there until the cops came and told us to get out.”
GPB's Grant Blankenship spoke with people on site as well.
"I mean, it's devastating when you hear it happen to anybody, but then you think it's not going to happen to us, and then it does,” said Tina Ronghi, who was waiting for her grandchildren. “These poor kids aren't going to be the same. They're not going to be the same. How can you how can you be after witnessing something like that?”
Mid-afternoon, Kemp issued a further statement on X, saying he will continue to work with agencies to help the Apalachee High School community during this time.
GBI held a press conference briefing on site around 4:30 p.m., reporting that police responded on the scene minutes after the shooting.
For resources to help students process tragic events, read here.
For more information on how to help kids cope with scary news, read here.
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The City of Winder will hold a community vigil tonight at 7 p.m. at Jug Tavern Park to grieve the events that unfolded.
GPB has two reporters on scene and will continue reporting through tomorrow. This is a developing story.
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