Suspect in custody after shooting at Georgia high school

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. - At least one student was injured in a shooting at Warner Robins High School on Wednesday, according to authorities. One person is in custody.

Warner Robins High School shooting

What we know:

One student was injured in the shooting and taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Houston County Sheriff's Office. 

District officials said the student was shot earlier in the day. 

The sheriff's office stated that a suspect is now in custody at this time. 

The incident triggered a Code Red, keeping students and staff secured in their classrooms.

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Massive law enforcement presence

Why you should care:

Authorities added that there is a significant law enforcement presence at the school. 

The sheriff's office is asking people to avoid the area on South Davis Drive. 

The City of Warner Robins stated that Demon Valley Road and S. Davis Drive are currently closed at this time. 

Deputies are asking people to use alternate routes. 

Government officials added that the Warner Robins Police Department is assisting the Houston County School District and Houston County Sheriff's Office. 

Warner Robins, is around 100 miles from Atlanta, and just outside of Macon. 

Warner Robins High School began a controlled dismissal around 4 p.m. 

Law enforcement officials remained on campus during dismissal. 

School closed for the week

What's next:

The school will be closed on Thursday and Friday. Teachers will return on Friday, Aug. 14 with students set to return on Monday, Aug. 17, according to a statement from the school's principal, Brett Wallace. 

He added there would be no virtual learning. 

"We want our students to have the opportunity to be at home, surrounded by family, and to take the time they need to process, heal, and care for one another," Wallace said in a letter to parents and staff. 

There will be additional counselors and support staff on both Friday and Monday, according to the principal. 

Georgia leaders release statements

What they're saying:

Parent Crystal Weldon described the incident as traumatizing, saying, "All I got was it's a cold red, the school shut down. Like it was just heart throbbing to me and I was scared because like, what if that was my chow?"

Parent Kimani Dudley shared what was being reported at the scene, stating, "What we're hearing is it was a boy got stabbed and a boy shot and somebody passed."

Dudley added that her daughter hid in the back of a classroom and whispered during a phone call to say she was safe.

Former student Keima Weldon offered sympathy, saying, "I send my condolence to the family of the victims out there. I hope y'all doing fine and I'm sorry that this happened y'all."

Parents expressed plans to keep their children home from school for the next two days following the security situation.

Gov. Brian Kemp released the following statement on Wednesday regarding the shooting:

"Grateful for the first responders and law enforcement who immediately responded to the situation at Warner Robins High School. Their action quickly brought the situation under control and kept students, faculty, and staff safe. As we wait for more details to emerge, we’re thankful for all those who keep our classrooms safe."

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock released a statement offering support to the Warner Robins community:

"I’m closely following reports of a shooting at Warner Robins High School. My prayers are with the two students who were injured, their families, and the entire Warner Robins community. I’m grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders on the scene."

Warner Robins Mayor LaRhona W. Patrick shared a message with the city, offering support to the affected families and praising local emergency crews:

"We are saddened to hear about the incident taking place at one of our schools here in Houston County. This type of incident impacts our students, faculty, and parents, but also our entire community. We appreciate all of our public safety officers, police and fire, for their rapid response in protection of our children. We shall overcome together."

Wallace released a statement in a letter to parents and staff: 

"Today was a hard day for our school and the entire community. We are grateful that the student who was injured is receiving care, and we are incredibly thankful for the quick response of law enforcement and first responders." 

Centegix safety drills day before shooting

Dig deeper:

According to a Facebook post from Warner Robins High School, the school conducted safety drills on Tuesday using the Centegix CrisisAlert System. 

The school's principal stated the school practiced the Code Yellow, Code Red, and Code Blue safety procedures in a letter to parents. 

Wallace stated that the school will be practicing safety drills throughout the school year, stressing that safety is the school's top priority. 

The school added that the system was an additional safety measure the Houston County School District implanted, including an automated communication system that informs parents of an emergency within minutes. 

The Houston County School District's website stated that the district has spent millions on general security measures and safety upgrades, officials have not explicitly confirmed whether metal detectors are actively in place at Warner Robins High School. 

Students were only in their second week of the new school year when the incident occurred, according to the district's website.

What we don't know:

Authorities have not said what prompted the shooting at this time. The suspect remains unidentified by authorities. 

The incident is currently under investigation. 

The names and ages of those involved have not been released.