At least four people have been killed and nine taken to the hospital following a school shooting at a Georgia high school Wednesday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI) said in a statement on X.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are on scene at Apalachee High School after a suspect reportedly opened fire at the school, according to authorities.
[time-brightcove not-tgx=”true”]The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said they received a call that there was an active shooter situation around 9:30 a.m. at Apalachee High School. The department said one suspect is in custody.
At least one person was transferred to Grady Hospital and is being treated for a gunshot wound, a spokesperson from Grady Memorial Hospital told TIME.
During a press conference in front of the school Wednesday afternoon, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith said “What you see behind us is an evil thing today,”
“We’re not releasing any information as far as injuries, but we have multiple injuries,” he added.
The department said they are in the process of reuniting students with their parents, which is “chaotic.”
TIME has reached out to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, and other local authorities, for comment.
FBI Atlanta told TIME in a statement that they are aware of the situation, though no specific information was provided:
“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 statement read.
Video footage on the scene shows students evacuating, multiple ambulances, and police congregating outside the school, which reportedly has close to 1,900 students.
Governor Brian Kemp has released a statement on X.
“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 wrote.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the shooting at a press briefing on Wednesday afternoon: “This week, kids across the country are heading back to school for the new school year. Today is supposed to be an exciting day for students and parents, but instead we’re seeing yet another horrific shooting.”
She added that the administration’s “hearts are with the families in Winder” and that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both been briefed and will continue to work with state and local law enforcement officials.
President Joe Biden said that, “we cannot continue to accept this as normal” in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
“Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed,” he wrote. “After decades of inaction, Republicans in Congress must finally say ‘enough is enough’ and work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety legislation. We must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines once again, require safe storage of firearms, enact universal background checks, and end immunity for gun manufacturers.”
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.
