Shooting attack at a school/ 4 victims in Georgia, USA

2024-09-04 22:48:24, Kosova & Bota CNA

At least four people have been killed as a result of a shooting attack at a high school in Georgia on Wednesday, the Reuters news agency reported, referring to the CNN television network.

In addition to the four killed, about 30 others were injured at Apalachee High School in the town of Winder, CNN reported, citing police sources. But not all injuries appeared to have been caused by gunfire, with several people injured trying to flee the scene.

In a statement from the Barrow County Sheriff's Office, it was said that a person suspected of being the perpetrator of the attack was in custody.

"What happened was a serious act," Sheriff Jud Smith said during a brief news conference on campus near the school.

Mr Smith would not confirm the number of people killed, saying there were a large number of injured.

Security forces brought the situation under control and students were allowed to leave, a Barrow County schools spokesman said.

ABC News quoted a witness, student Sergio Caldera, as saying he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots. Caldera, 17, told the ABC his teacher had opened the door but another teacher who was running told her to close it immediately because "there was a person with a gun in the school".

While the teacher's students were in the classroom, someone knocked on the door and shouted several times, asking to be opened. When the knocking stopped, Caldera said he heard gunshots and screams. He said his classroom was later evacuated.

The FBI's Atlanta office sent agents to the high school to support local law enforcement, said Jenna Sellitto, a spokeswoman for the office.

The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the incident and added that the administration "will continue to coordinate with federal, state and local officials as we continue to receive more information."

The United States has experienced hundreds of school and college shootings in the past two decades. The bloodiest was at Virginia Tech in 2007, resulting in over 30 deaths. The attacks have sparked fierce debates over gun laws and the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees the right "to bear arms"./ VOA