Gunman opens fire at Georgia school, four dead, nine injured, police say

A gunman opened fire at a school in Georgia in the United States on Wednesday morning (04), leaving four dead and nine injured. The school that was attacked is called Apalachee High School, aimed at high school students in Barrow County in Winder, near the capital Atlanta. The attack began around 10 am (11 am Brasília time) and the school issued a statement warning students not to come to school at the time of the shooting. The situation was under control around 12 pm (1 pm in Brazil).

Investigation

According to the head of the state police investigation department, Chris Hosey, the perpetrator of the attack is a 14-year-old juvenile and the motive for the attack is being investigated and that the shooter will be tried as an adult.

^{Students gathered in the school playground after the attack at the school (Photo: reproduction/ABC Affiliate WSB/Reuters)}

Police said they were informed of the attack around 10:23 a.m. and several officers were dispatched to the school. FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives personnel were dispatched to control the situation and investigate. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said the U.S. Department of Justice is prepared to provide assistance and resources to those affected in the coming days. All schools in the county will remain closed through the weekend.

Joe Biden, current US President, and Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris expressed their solidarity with the victims and their families: “Students across the country are learning to hunker down and take refuge instead of learning to read and write. We can no longer accept this as normal.“, Biden declared.

Reports and victims

A 17-year-old student reported hearing the first shots during chemistry class. According to him, his teacher locked the classroom door and the students ran to the back as they heard screams outside the classroom and the shooter ordered them to open the door. Among the fatal victims, two were teachers and two were students at the school.

Featured photo: Students gather outside Apalachee High School during the attack that left 4 dead (Photo: reproduction/ABC Affiliate WSB/Reuters)