Casualties were reported in an active shooter situation at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, Wednesday morning, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office.
A suspect is in custody, the sheriff’s office said.
The incident is over and a local hospital is “treating multiple gunshot wounds,” according to a source familiar with the situation.
Details about the number of victims and their conditions were not immediately clear, the sheriff’s office said.
Students are seen outside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on September 4, 2024.
WSB
Students are seen outside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on September 4, 2024.
WSB
Sergio Caldera, 17, said he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots at 11 a.m.
“My teacher goes to open the door to see what’s going on. Another teacher runs in and tells him to close the door because there’s an active shooter,” Caldera told ABC News.
He said his teacher locked the door and the students ran to the back of the classroom. Caldera said they heard screams coming from outside as they “huddled together.”
At one point, someone knocked on his classroom door and yelled “Open up!” repeatedly. When the knocking stopped, Caldera said she heard more gunshots and screams.
He said his class was then evacuated to the football field.
Police are seen outside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on September 4, 2024.
WSB
Apalachee High School has been “cleared to close” and all other Barrow County schools are on “soft lockdown,” the Barrow County School District said.
“The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office says this is for everyone’s safety at this time. Please do not visit your child’s school at this time. We are unable to release students during a lockdown,” the school district said in a statement. “We will update you as soon as BCSO tells us everything is ready for dismissal.”
Winder is approximately 45 miles from Atlanta.
Police are seen outside Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on September 4, 2024.
WSB
President Joe Biden was briefed on the shooting. “His administration will continue to coordinate with federal, state and local authorities as we receive more information,” the White House said.
Agents from the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are on scene.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said he had “directed all available state resources to respond.”
Kemp said he was “praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.”
This is a developing story. Please check back regularly for updates.
ABC News’ Josh Margolin and Miles Cohen contributed to this report.
