CAMPUS CARNAGE Apalachee High School shooting leaves four dead and multiple injured in Georgia as cops catch suspect
FOUR people have been killed following a shooting at a high school that saw dozens of police agencies swarm the campus.
An unidentified suspect opened fire at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, about 29 miles west of Athens, leaving nine others injured.
What we know so far:
- Four people are dead, and nine others were injured, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations confirmed.
- The shooter, described as a 14-year-old male, is in custody, according to the New York Post.
- CNN has reported that at least 30 people were injured, but those details have not been confirmed by investigators.
- Students gathered on the football field after the attack.
- President Biden and Vice President Harris have been briefed.
- Devastating texts reveal student's fear.
CNN has reported that at least 30 people were injured in the shooting; however, investigators have not confirmed those details.
Barrow County Sheriff officials have not revealed the motive of the shooting.
The suspect, who was described as a student, was arrested by police, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
The shooter is believed to be a 14-year-old male, according to the New York Post.
Barrow County Sherriff Jud Smith called the shooting an "evil thing," adding the scene is considered an active investigation.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Burrow County Police Department for an update.
GUT-WRENCHING TEXTS
Erin Clark shared a series of text changes with her son, who is a student at Apalachee High School.
The terrified mother told The U.S. Sun her son, Ethan, heard about eight to nine gunshots.
"School shooting rn," Ethan texted his mom at 10:23 am, adding that he was "scared" and "not joking."
Clark told The U.S. Sun that she immediately replied that she was leaving her job at an Amazon warehouse and rushed to the school.
"I love you," Ethan said, to which Clark replied she loved him too and asked where he was.
"Class," the teen replied, adding, "Someone's dead."
One of the injured victims was identified as David Phenix.
Phenix was shot in the foot and hip, which shattered his hip bone, his daughter Katie Phenix shared on Facebook.
"We are so thankful for all the texts, calls, and messages about my dad, David Phenix," Katie wrote.
"There was a shooting this morning at Apalachee High School and my dad was shot in the foot and in the hip, shattering his hip bone.
"He arrived to the hospital alert and awake. He just got out of surgery and is stable."
CHAOTIC SCENE
Heavily armed cops and SWAT vehicles surrounded the school on Wednesday morning after students were evacuated and seen rushing into their parents' arms.
At least two people were seen being loaded onto a stretcher outside and flown to the hospital.
Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta confirmed to The U.S. Sun that it received one victim with a gunshot wound.
Dozens of cops from different agencies drove their cars onto the school lawn.
There were also at least a dozen ambulances and firetrucks.
Students and staff flooded the bleachers of the football stadium as the school was evacuated at 11:33 am.
People were seen locking arms in a circle on the field once they were safe.
A helicopter flew around the school as students stood in the stadium.
Large armed groups of cops stood on the lawn while others started to approach the school.
Buses are available for students who need transportation home.
Other campuses of Barrow County Schools went into a "soft lockdown" during the shooting, per NBC.
Apalachee High School
Apalachee High School is in Barrow County — 58 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia.
The school has about 1,9000 students and is one of two high schools in the school district.
Students returned from summer break on August 1.
'PRAYING FOR SAFTEY'
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also released a statement about the shooting 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," he wrote.
"We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation."
White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary, Emilie Simons, said President Joe Biden was alerted about the shooting.
"His administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information," she wrote.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said he was "devastated for the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy."
Following the shooting, local leaders have come under fire with critics racing to Congressman Mike Collin's video from 2022 that showed him holding a large gun while he gave Biden election advice.
Collins represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, which Apalachee High School falls under.
At the end of the video, he said "Fight for Trump, get to the bottom of 2020 and fix our elections. Well if they won't do it, Mike Collins will."
He then shot a trashcan labeled "cast ballot" and "voting machine" causing it to explode.
A user commented under his 2022 post after the shooting writing, "Hope you’re proud of yourself today. You should be ashamed."
Apalachee High School has about 1,900 students and is one of two high schools in the Burrow County school district.
It has been a little over a month since students returned from summer break.
No comments: