Georgia school shooting leaves at least 4 dead and dozens injured as cops arrest suspect: Live updates

At least four people were killed and dozens more injured in a shooting at a high school in the US state of Georgia.

A helicopter video from local news station WSB-TV showed dozens of police and emergency vehicles surrounding Apalachee High School in Barrow County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.

CNN reported that four people had died and about 30 others were believed to be injured.

At a brief press conference, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith called the incident “nasty” but said the situation was “very unclear.” “We're not releasing any information on the injured, but we have several injured. This is a very, very unclear investigation. It's very early,” he said.

Smith also confirmed that a suspect was arrested following the incident.

“We are in the process of reuniting our students with their parents. It's obviously chaotic, but we want to respect them and their privacy,” Smith added.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, the FBI and the White House are monitoring developments.

Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz also acknowledged the “tragic” incident ahead of a campaign event in Pennsylvania.

Important points

• Report: Four dead and dozens injured in shooting in Georgia

• Suspect in custody as high school remains locked down

• Students are reunited with their parents

Students are reunited with their parents

18:50 , Mike Beding

Barrow County Sheriff Jed Smith said authorities were still working to reunite the students with their parents following the incident.

“We are in the process of reuniting our students with their parents. It is of course chaotic, but we want to respect them and their privacy,” he told reporters.

The Sheriff's Office will provide further updates at a press conference at 4 p.m.

Four dead and dozens injured – report

18:40 , Mike Beding

CNN reported that four people died and about 30 others were injured in the shooting.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith did not provide exact details on the number of victims.

Sheriff describes “very unclear” and “nasty” situation

18:35 , Mike Beding

At a brief press conference, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith called the incident “nasty” and confirmed that several people were injured in the shooting.

“We are not releasing any information about the injured, but we have several injured. The investigation is still very, very slow. It is still very early,” he said.

Smith also confirmed that the suspect is in custody.

Watch: Walz says there is still 'work to be done' in light of 'tragic' Georgia school massacre

18:30 , Mike Beding

Tim Walz describes shooting in Georgia during election campaign as “tragic”

18:25 , Mike Beding

Tim Walz confirmed the “tragic” incident at the high school in Georgia ahead of a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.

“Before we begin, our team just informed me. There is a school massacre going on in Georgia right now – we are on it and the White House has been informed,” he said.

“This is tragic. We don't know the details yet, but it's a situation that happens all too often and our minds are on it right now… Our job has to be to prevent such incidents in the future, as far as we know. I know it's a little difficult for everyone.”

Local hospital admits victim with gunshot wound

18:20 , Mike Beding

A spokesman for Grady Health System said NBC that the hospital has so far admitted one shooting victim from Apalachee High School.

According to the outlet, Grady Hospital is about an hour's drive from the school.

Atlanta Mayor issues statement on Barrow County school massacre

18:15 , Mike Beding

In a statement, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said: “My prayers are with the high school students, staff and families affected by the senseless act of violence in Winder, Georgia.

“I have been in touch with Police Chief Schierbaum, and out of an abundance of caution, the Atlanta Police Department has worked with the Atlanta Public Schools Police Department to increase patrols around our schools for the remainder of the day.

“APD is also on standby should law enforcement need assistance with this incident. May God comfort the victims and their families in the difficult days ahead.”

Apalachee High School students evacuated

18:10 , Mike Bedingan

After the shooting, all schools in the district were cordoned off

18:05 , Mike Beding

Due to the evolving situation, all schools in Barrow County have been temporarily closed.

The Barrow County school system is the 24th largest school district in the state, serving approximately 15,340 students, according to the district's website.

About 1,900 students attend Apalachee High School, located 40 miles outside of Atlanta.

Statement from the Governor of Georgia

18:00 , Mike Beding

Joe Biden informs about the situation in Georgia

17:55 , Mike Beding

A White House statement said President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation in Barrow County, Georgia.

“President Biden has been briefed by his Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall on the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, and his administration will continue to coordinate with federal, state, and local authorities as we receive more information,” the statement said.

Students remember learning about an active shooter situation

17:50 , Mike Beding

A student at Apalachee High School recalled hearing someone “banging” on his classroom door shortly after a teacher informed him that there was an active shooter.

Senior Sergio Caldera, 17, said ABC News that he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots at 11 a.m.

“My teacher goes to the door and opens it to see what's going on. Another teacher comes running and tells her to close the door because someone is shooting,” he said, adding that the teacher locked the door and students ran to the back of the classroom.

Caldera said they heard screams from outside as they “crouched down.”

At one point, Caldera said, someone banged on his classroom door and shouted “Open up!” several times. When the banging stopped, he heard more gunshots and screams, Caldera said.

Parents rush to their children after reports of deaths at Georgia high school

17:45 , Mike Beding

A high school in the US state of Georgia was cordoned off following reports of a shooting.

Authorities are currently on alert for an operation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, after gunshots were reported there.

The situation is still evolving. Read more here:

Active shooting spree reported at high school in Georgia, rescue workers rush to scene

Authorities on scene after shooting at Georgia high school

17:40 , Mike Beding

Two dead and at least four injured – reports

17:35 , Mike Beding

Points of sale including NBC And MSNBC report at least two dead and four injured.

Authorities have not yet released any information about the exact number of victims or injured, nor have they provided any further information about the shooter.

Georgia governor and FBI informed about shooting

17:30 , Mike Beding

Both Governor Brian Kemp and the FBI are aware of the situation in Barrow County.

Kemp said he has directed “all available state resources” to the school, adding, “We will continue to work with local, state and federal partners as we gather information and continue to respond to this situation.”

“FBI Atlanta is aware of the current situation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County,” the bureau said in a statement. “Our agents are on site coordinating and assisting local law enforcement.”

Active shooting spree reported at high school in Georgia, rescue workers rush to scene

17:25 , Mike Beding

People flown out of the campus – reports

17:20 , Mike Beding

Fox 5 reported that as the situation continued, at least two people were seen being flown off campus by helicopter.

Dozens of police officers are already on site and emergency responders are treating people at the school. According to WSBTV, at least six ambulances have been on site since midday local time.

Suspect in custody as high school remains locked down

17:15 , Mike Beding

According to local media, a suspect is in custody after students responded to reports of a shooting at a Georgia high school that left an unknown number of victims.

Students were evacuated from Apalachee High School in Barrow County, which remains on lockdown.

Aerial photographs show student gathering in front of football stadium

17:10 , Mike Beding

A helicopter video from local news station WSB-TV showed dozens of police and emergency vehicles surrounding Apalachee High School in Barrow County, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta.

Students could also be seen in the footage from the school's football stadium.

The number of victims is still unclear.

A shooting was reported at a high school in Georgia

17:04 , Mike Bedingan

An “active shooter scenario” was reported at a high school in the US state of Georgia.

Authorities are currently responding to Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, which has been placed on lockdown after gunshots were reported. All schools in the county are on lockdown as the situation develops.

Follow The Live coverage of the developing situation here.