No fewer than four people have been reportedly killed, while 30 others injured in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia in United States.
At a lunchtime press conference, Sheriff Jud Smith said it was still a “very active” situation.
“We have multiple injuries, what you see behind us is a evil thing today. This is going to take multiple days for us to get answers as to what happened and why this happened.”
CNN reports that officials on Wednesday identified the killer as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the high school.
He is in custody, Chris Hosey, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said at a news conference Wednesday.
He will be charged with murder and tried as an adult, Hosey said.
CNN reports that all schools in the Barrow County School System were placed on lockdown and police were sent out of an abundance of caution to all district high schools.
Some of the critically injured were removed by helicopter, and additional helicopters are on standby.
According to video from outside the school, at least five ambulances and a large active law enforcement presence were at the campus. While at least one medical helicopter could be seen airlifting a patient from the scene.
Footage at the scene also showed people gathering on a football field near the school as students appeared to pray.
In a brief news conference at the scene, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, did not confirm the number of casualties, saying only there were “multiple injuries.”
Smith asked for patience, saying the investigation remains “fluid.” He hopes to provide another update around 4 p.m. ET, he said.
Authorities received a call about an active shooter around 9:30 a.m., Smith said.
The sheriff’s office previously said one suspect was in custody after authorities received a report of an active shooting at the school.
Grady Health System, a Level 1 trauma center in Atlanta, about an hour from Winder received one gunshot wound victim from the incident who was transported by helicopter, a hospital spokesperson told CNN.
