Law enforcements officials confirmed multiple people were killed and one person is in custody at a high school in Georgia after it was placed on lockdown on Wednesday morning for reported gunfire.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said there was an “active shooter situation” at Apalachee High School.
The high School in Winder in Barrow County went on “hard lockdown”.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation by Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall.
“His administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information,” White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Emilie Simons said on X.
Apalachee High School was placed on lockdown for an “active shooter situation,” according to the sheriff’s office. There is a large police presence at the school.
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All other schools in the county were placed on lockdown as a “precautionary measure.”
A large police presence and at least five ambulances were observed at the school. Emergency responders were seen treating multiple individuals. One person was loaded into a helicopter to be taken to a hospital, FOX 5 reported.
The lockdown was later lifted and parents were allowed to pick up their children.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said his office is working with local, state and federal partners on X to help respond to the incident.
“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,” Kemp said.
The FBI division in Atlanta said it was aware of the incident on X.
“Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement,” FBI Atlanta said.
Students were evacuated to the school’s football stadium, WSB-TV reported. Students were seen scattered throughout the field and some had formed a circle to pray.
The school previously sent a message to parents stating, “Apalachee High School is currently in a hard lockdown after reports of gunfire. Law enforcement is here. Please do not attempt to come to the school at this time while officers work to secure the area.”
Newsweek reached out to the Winder Police Department for more information.
The high school school is located on Haymon Morris Road. There are around 1,900 students at the school in grades 9 through 12. It is one of two high schools in the Barrow County School District. It is home of the Winder-Barrow “Bulldogs.”
Winder is located about an hour from Atlanta. The town has a population of 18,338. It is the largest city in Barrow County.
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