4 dead in Georgia high school shooting, suspect apprehended

Four people were murdered and nine others injured in a shooting at a high school in northern Georgia on Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, one suspect was found alive and taken into custody following the shooting at Apalachee High School. Multiple top law enforcement authorities confirmed that the suspect is a teenager, but it is unknown whether he is linked with the school.

The GBI reported that four persons were killed in the shooting. Nine others were sent to hospitals with injuries.

According to sources, all schools in the Barrow County School System, including the high school, were placed on lockdown, and police were dispatched to all district high schools as a precaution, but no secondary incidents or scenes have been reported.

Some of the critically injured were evacuated by helicopter, and more helicopters are on standby.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith stated at a brief news conference at the scene that officials received a call about an active shooter around 9:30 a.m. He declined to reveal the number of casualties, stating only that there were "multiple injuries," although he did confirm that one suspect was in custody.

"This is a very, very fluid investigation," said Smith. "This is going to take multiple days for us to get answers as to what happened and why this happened."

The White House said President Joe Biden had been briefed on the event and offered federal assistance to state and local officials.

President Joe Biden issued a statement in which he expressed his condolences for those killed and urged Congress to implement gun safety laws.

"What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart," Mr. Biden said.

“His administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information,” the White House said in a statement.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the US Department of Justice "stands ready" to assist the community following the shooting.

“We are still gathering information, but the FBI and ATF are on the scene, working with state, local and federal partners,” Garland said at a meeting of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force.

“I am devastated for the families that have been affected by this terrible tragedy,” Garland added. "The Justice Department stands ready to provide any resources or support that the Winder community needs in the days ahead."