Georgia high school shooting: At least two dead and multiple injured after shooter opens fire on campus in back-to-school rampage

• Garland said on Wednesday: ‘We are still gathering information but the FBI and ATF are on the scene, working with state, local and federal partners’
• He added: ‘I’m devastated for the families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy. The Justice Department stands ready to provide resources or support the Winder community needs in the days ahead.’

• Erin Clark received a text message from her son, Ethan, at 10.23am on Wednesday morning telling her that there was a school shooting underway.
• He wrote: ‘school shooting rn (right now). I’m scared. I’m not joking.’
• His mom responded instantly, assuring him that she was leaving work. In a heartbreaking response, Ethan wrote: ‘I love you.’

• Burrow County Officer Jud Smith spoke to the press outside Apalachee High School
• ‘What you see behind us is an evil thing,’ he said.
• Smith said there are multiple people injured but did not specify how many
• He called the situation ‘very fluid’ and ‘ongoing’
• Smith added: ‘We do have a suspect in custody and we are asking for patience to make sure we get this right.’

• Students were pictured standing in a circle, seemingly in prayer, after they evacuated the north Georgia school and ran to the football field on Wednesday

• The school has toldp parents they can begin picking up their children
• Other Barrow County Schools remain on ‘soft lockdown’ as a precation, per authorities
• The school district said: ‘The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office says this is for the safety of everyone right now. Please do not visit your child’s school at this time. We cannot release students during a lockdown. We will let you know as soon as BCSO says it is all clear for dismissal.’

• Sergio Candera, a senior at Apalachee High School, told ABC News he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots
• He said: ‘My teacher goes and opens the door to see what’s going on. Another teacher comes running in and tells her to close the door because there’s an active shooter’
• Candera said he heard screams from outside hsi classroom as he ‘huddled up’ with his classmates

• The White House told CNN president Biden was briefed on the shooting by his Homeland Security adviser, Liz Sherwood-Randal
• The White House said the ‘administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information.’

• NBC reports that two people have been killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School
• Moreover, four people have been reported injured
• A suspect is in custody but police have not released any details about them

• Parents outside the school have been seen crying and franticaly asking if anyone knows the names of those affected by the shooting
• One crying mom says she can’t get in touch with her senior son, frantically asking news crews if they know the names of those who are injured
• Some parents ran about a mile, leaving their cars behind to get closer to the school

• Parents of students at Apalachee High School have been posting online as they await news from their children

• Hundreds of students were seen evacuating the school, moving into the football stadium for safety

• The FBI’s Atlanta office said: ‘FBI Atlanta is aware of the current situation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.’
• Georgia state police and the Burrow County sherriff’s office are also among the law enforcement agencies at the scene

• Multiple outlets have reported there is one suspect in custody following the lockdown at the high school
• The sheriff’s office said: ‘At the time of this release, one suspect is in custody, and casualties have been reported however details on the number or their conditions is not available at this time.’
• The school district has told parents they can pick up their children

• The Burrow Countu Sheriff’s office told CNN there have been casualties in the shooting
• They have yet to specify how many people were injured and if any are students

• Apalachee High School is one of two high schools in the district
• It has about 1,900 students in gardes 9 through 12.

• At least one person was loaded into a medic helicopter on a stretcher and taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
• Grady Memorial is the largest hospital in northern Georgia

Heavily-armed police were seen entering the school as students were evacuated into the football stadium.

Governor Brian Kemp has responded to the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder in Barrow County, 25 miles west of Athens.

Police have confirmed they are responding to an active shooter situation.

We will be bringing you the latest updates on the unfolding situation at Apalachee High School, in Winder, Georgia.