On Wednesday morning, an active shooter situation erupted at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, leading to multiple reported casualties. According to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, one suspect has been taken into custody, and the immediate threat has been neutralized. The sheriff’s office has confirmed that a local hospital is treating several individuals with gunshot wounds. However, details regarding the exact number of victims and their conditions remain unclear.
Senior student Sergio Caldera, 17, shared his harrowing experience during the incident. Caldera was in his chemistry class when the sounds of gunshots rang out. His teacher quickly moved to open the door to investigate, but another teacher urgently advised closing it to protect the students from the active shooter. The classroom door was locked, and the students were instructed to move to the back of the room. Caldera reported that they heard screams and more gunshots from outside. At one point, someone pounded on the classroom door, shouting for it to be opened, but the knocking eventually ceased, and more gunfire followed. The students were later evacuated to the football field as a precaution.
In response to the crisis, Apalachee High School has been cleared for dismissal. Meanwhile, all other schools in Barrow County are currently under a “soft lockdown” as a safety measure. The Barrow County School District has issued a statement advising parents to refrain from visiting the schools until the lockdown is lifted. They emphasized that students cannot be released during the lockdown and assured that updates will be provided once the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office deems it safe for dismissal.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, and his administration is actively coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as more information becomes available. The FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation have been deployed to the scene to assist with the response. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has directed all available state resources to manage the situation and has expressed his concern and prayers for the safety of students in Barrow County and across the state. The governor’s office emphasized a commitment to supporting the local community during this challenging time.
