Authorities placed Apalachee High School in Winder under a hard lockdown this morning following a shooting on campus. Winder is located approximately 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. The high school serves about 1,900 students and is one of two high schools in the Barrow County School District.
Emergency services quickly responded to the incident, with local news outlets receiving calls about the shooting before official confirmation was provided. Helicopters were seen airlifting at least two individuals to hospitals, and Grady Memorial Hospital later confirmed that it had admitted one person with a gunshot wound. Law enforcement officials also confirmed at least two individuals have been killed. No further information about any of the victims has been made available at this time.
Shortly before 11:30 a.m., school officials announced that the campus had been cleared, and students were allowed to reunite with their families. Parents were given the option to pick up their children from the school or have them transported home by bus.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that one individual had been taken into custody. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also responded to the scene, working closely with local authorities.
Governor Brian Kemp issued a public statement expressing concern for the safety of students, not only in Barrow County but across the state. Kemp added that state resources had been mobilized to assist in the response and encouraged Georgians to keep those affected by the shooting in their prayers.
President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation by Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, and the White House confirmed that federal, state, and local officials are coordinating in response to the incident.
Further updates on the situation are expected as law enforcement continues its work.
