Four people lost their lives, and several others were injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed the fatalities and announced that a suspect, believed to be a 14-year-old boy, is now in custody. The shooting has sent shockwaves through the small community and reignited the national debate over school safety and gun control.
The shooting unfolded around 9:30 a.m., disrupting what began as a typical school day. Students and teachers were thrown into chaos as gunshots rang out in the halls. Senior Sergio Caldera, 17, was in his chemistry class when the shooting began. "My teacher goes and opens the door to see what's going on. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because there's an active shooter," Caldera recounted to ABC News. He described how his class huddled together at the back of the room, listening in terror as the chaos unfolded outside.
According to the GBI, nine additional victims were transported to nearby hospitals, though the exact nature and severity of their injuries remain unclear. Earlier reports suggested that up to 30 people might have been injured, but these numbers are subject to change as more information becomes available. The suspect, who has not been named due to his age, was apprehended at the scene and is currently in custody. It is not yet confirmed whether the suspect was a student at the school.
Video footage from outside the school showed a heavy police presence, with at least five ambulances on site and a medical helicopter airlifting a patient. Students, many visibly shaken, were seen gathered on the school's football field, some joining in prayer as they tried to make sense of the tragedy.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith addressed the media in a brief news conference, acknowledging the severity of the situation but offering few details. "We have multiple injuries, and one suspect is in custody," Smith said. He urged the public for patience, noting that the investigation is still "very, very fluid" and more information will be provided later in the day.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Apalachee High School and all other schools in the Barrow County School System were placed on lockdown as a precaution. The school district issued a statement urging parents not to come to the schools until the lockdown was lifted. "We cannot release students during a lockdown," the statement read. "We will let you know as soon as [the sheriff's office] says it is all clear for dismissal."
The tragedy has drawn reactions from across the nation, including from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, both of whom have been briefed on the situation. The White House issued a statement offering federal support to state and local officials, with the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) already on the scene to assist with the investigation.
Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed his condolences and reiterated the Justice Department's commitment to supporting the Winder community. "I am devastated for the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy," Garland said. "The Justice Department stands ready to provide any resources or support that the Winder community needs in the days ahead."
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also weighed in, offering prayers for the victims and their families. He pledged to deploy all available state resources to assist in the aftermath of the shooting. "It is heartbreaking to see such violence in our schools," Kemp said in a statement. "My thoughts are with the students, staff, and families affected by this senseless act of violence."
The small town of Winder, located about 45 miles northeast of Atlanta, has been deeply shaken by the incident. With a population of just over 18,000, the community is grappling with the horror of a school shooting in their midst. Apalachee High School, which serves nearly 2,000 students, is part of the Barrow County School System, the 24th largest school district in Georgia.
