At least four people have been killed and at least nine have been injured in a school shooting in the US, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said.
The shooting took place at Apalachee High School, situated in Winder in Barrow County – around 50 miles from the city of Atlanta.
One suspect is in custody, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
Officers said they heard about the incident just before 9.30am local time, and responders from “multiple law enforcement agencies” were sent to the high school “in reference to a reported active shooting”.
The school was placed on lockdown, but this has now been cleared and pupils released to their families.
Dozens of police swarmed the campus and students rushed for shelter in the football stadium.
Pic: WSB via AP
Camille Nelms said she was shedding tears when a gunman opened fire on her classroom.
As bullets came flying into her classroom, the teacher and students tried to take shelter in the corner.
“I was crying, I didn’t want to die that way,” Nelms told NBC affiliate WXIA of Atlanta. “I don’t want to meet the Lord that way.”
First responders gather at Apalachee High School. Pic: ABC Affiliate WSB via Reuters
The shooting sparked a stampede, according to local media reports.
The Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith initially told reporters: “Multiple people were wounded in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder”.
He described the investigation as “very, very fluid” and it was in the early stages.
“What you see behind us is an evil thing today,” Sheriff Smith said.
Students and staff gather next to the football field after the shooting. Pic: ABC Affiliate WSB via REUTERS
“I want to give our sympathies to our community, our school system, our kids, our parents that had to witness this today.”
US President Joe Biden has said: “Our hearts are with those affected by the [Georgia school] shooting.”
Mr Biden has been briefed on the incident by Homeland Security Advisor, Liz Sherwood-Randall, the White House said.
As the incident unfolded, Governor Brian Kemp said: “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.”
Federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, are on the scene
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