A 14-year-old student was arrested on Wednesday after bringing a firearm to Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. This incident follows a deadly shooting at the same school in September that resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students. The Barrow County Sheriff's Office stated that the student was taken into custody Wednesday "without incident" and exhibited cooperation during the arrest. He faces charges including possessing a weapon on school property and being a minor in possession of a firearm, and was placed in a juvenile detention center.
In response to the arrest, the Barrow County school district canceled all classes and activities at the high school on Thursday. The previous shooting led to significant consequences, with former student Colt Gray facing 55 charges, including murder, while his father, Colin Gray, is facing 29 counts related to allowing access to firearms. Both have pleaded not guilty. The district is currently working to replace the facilities in the hallway that remains closed since the initial shooting.
The recent arrest follows demands for improved security at the high school. During a Barrow County school board meeting, parents and staff advocated for measures such as additional resource officers, transparent backpacks, and advanced camera systems that can detect firearms. Superintendent Dallas LeDuff acknowledged these concerns, noting that an upcoming security survey will inform future safety decisions. "I am proud of the work our staff has done," LeDuff remarked, underscoring ongoing efforts to address security issues. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)