Georgia

A suspect had been arrested after reports emerged of an active shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, located about 45 miles (70 kilometres) northeast of Atlanta, the state capital. At least four people are dead while 30 are injured, according to US media reports. 

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Footage going viral on social media showed police and ambulances rushing to the high school as panic-stricken parents arrived at the scene to pick up their children. At least two people were seen being loaded into medical helicopters and evacuated.

The suspect is believed to be of school age but it remains unclear if he attended the Apalachee school. 

"We have agents on site assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement with the investigation. One suspect in custody," the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) said. 

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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said on X that state agencies were responding to the incident.

"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," said Kemp.

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"We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation."

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Notably, after the shooting, the school authorities had sent a message to parents saying they were enforcing a "hard lockdown after reports of gunfire". 

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DoJ extends support

Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the Apalachee High School shooting during a news conference, stating that the Department of Justice (DoJ) will provide resources to the community. 

“I want to address the tragic shooting that occurred this morning at a high school in Winder, Georgia. We are still gathering information, but the FBI and ATF are on the scene working with state, local and federal partners,” Garland said.

(With inputs from agencies)