A 14-year-old boy named Colt Gray has been arrested and will be charged with murder after a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, four people were killed, including two students and two teachers, while nine others were injured. The BBC reports that the suspect, a student at the school, was quickly taken into custody by two officers on campus. The local sheriff described the attack as “pure evil.”
The shooting occurred around 10:20 a.m. local time, and law enforcement arrived within minutes. The BBC noted that the suspect surrendered without resistance, lying on the ground as officers arrested him. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, and they have not yet provided details on the weapon used or the number of shots fired.
Governor Brian Kemp expressed his concern on social media, saying he was praying for the safety of students and directing state resources to help.
President Biden, in a statement, mourned the loss of lives due to “senseless gun violence,” turning what should have been a normal school day into a heartbreaking tragedy.
Vice-President Kamala Harris also condemned the shooting, calling it a “senseless tragedy” and highlighting the ongoing fear parents face when sending their children to school, as reported by BBC.
The school went into lockdown, and dozens of police officers quickly secured the area. Students were later reunited with their families.
BBC further mentioned that a student described the terrifying moment when the shooting began, recalling the chaos and fear among her classmates.
Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed that federal agents are involved in the investigation and expressed his devastation over the tragedy.
This tragic event is another reminder of the ongoing problem of gun violence in schools across the U.S., leaving communities to mourn and search for answers.