Shooting At High School In US's Georgia, Casualties Feared, Suspect Held

A high school in US's Georgia is in the midst of an active shooting incident. Police and medics have been rushed to the school and the neighbourhood has been put under a lockdown.

Students have been evacuated from the scene of the shooting and one suspect has been taken into custody.

Local news reports suggest that there are casualties and one person has been evacuated in an air ambulance.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation or GBI said it is responding to a "shooting" at the high school.

The Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, sent out a message to parents saying it was "currently in a hard lockdown after reports of gunfire," according to US media.

The school is located in the town of Winder, about 45 miles (70 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta, the state capital.

#HappeningNow shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow Co. GA. Hearing reports of injuries. pic.twitter.com/t4xgv8Ibaq — DAP (insert blue check here) (@Deetroit_Dave) September 4, 2024

"We have agents on site assisting local, state, and federal law enforcement w/ the investigation. One suspect in custody," the GBI said in a post on social media.

"Law enforcement has arrived. Please do not attempt to come to the school at this time while officers work to secure the area," it added.

CNN, citing the local sheriff's office, reported that there had been casualties, without providing further details.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said on social media website X that state agencies were responding to the incident.

The White House also said that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the shooting.

Local footage showed ambulances driving across a school field, and scores of vehicles parked around the school.

(Inputs from AFP)