NEWTOWN, Conn. – Two students and two teachers were killed and another nine people were injured by gunfire in a school shooting that took place at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia today, just weeks into the start of the new school year. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect is a 14-year-old student from the school who is now in custody.
Reports from Barrow County indicate that members of law enforcement were on the scene just minutes after the initial reports. Officers from multiple agencies responded to the school, as well as numerous parents that made their way to the campus. Upon hearing the gunshots, students worked together to barricade doors to their classrooms and hide.
In response, Nicole Hockley, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“This unspeakable tragedy has not only shattered the community of Barrow County but has also sent shockwaves throughout our nation. Our hearts are broken for the students and teachers that were stolen from their loved ones by this senseless act of violence, and for the injured victims and all of the students who will forever carry the scars of this traumatic event.”
“No one should ever have to endure this horror and this unbelievable pain. No student should ever have to barricade the doors to their classroom – ever. And no parent should ever have to feel this kind of terror as they rush to their children. We must come together to end this nightmare.”
“During times of unbearable tragedy like today, it’s important to remember there is hope. Gun violence and school shootings are not inevitable. They are preventable when we all work together – parents, students, educators, legislators, and members of the community alike.”
“Schools can be environments where everyone looks out for one another to keep each other safe. This is possible by teaching everyone the warning signs of violence and how to get help when someone may be in crisis. We can also create more welcoming and inclusive school communities that end social isolation and bullying, which are shown to contribute to violent outcomes. Our legislators can work together to pass bipartisan legislation that implements policies that protect children and communities from gun violence. This is how school shootings can – and have been – prevented throughout our nation.”
“This crisis demands action from all of us, no matter what divides us. By working together, we can create a future where all children are free from the threat of gun violence in their schools, homes, and communities.”
To learn more about how you can help advocate for sensible policies and bring violence prevention programs to your community, visit sandyhookpromise.org.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
Media Contact:
Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646-761-5579
Nick Dmitrovich | [email protected] | 219-552-4258