Police have reported that an armed school resource officer successfully intervened to halt the shooter at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, where students and staff were targeted.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has identified the shooter as 14-year-old Colt Gray, who is a student at the school and is likely to face trial as an adult.
Recent updates indicate that the tragic incident has resulted in at least four fatalities, with nine others, including students and staff, injured. Among the deceased are two teachers and two students.
During a brief press conference, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith discussed how the officer managed to stop the shooter’s attack.
“Obviously the shooter was armed and our school resource officer engaged him. And the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OIS, an officer involved in shooting. He gave up, got on the ground, and the deputy took him into custody,” Smith told reporters.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported that law enforcement officers arrived at Apalachee High School shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday in response to reports of a shooting.
Sheriff Smith mentioned that the shooter has been questioned, but as of now, investigators have not established any connection between him and the victims.
The GBI indicated that a significant amount of work remains, including gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. A subsequent press conference is planned for a few hours later, as detailed by Fox 5 Atlanta.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Apalachee High School serves roughly 1,900 students and is one of two high schools within the Barrow County Public Schools district, situated around 40 miles northeast of Atlanta.
