14-year-old accused of killing 4 in Georgia school shooting

In Georgia, a 14-year-old opened fire at a high school, killing four people and injuring at least nine others. Police say they have arrested a student who is the suspect. Investigators said they did not know a motive yet about what was behind the 29th mass shooting the U.S. has endured this year. Geoff Bennett reports.

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Amna Nawaz: The Department of Justice is warning that America’s elections are once again under foreign assault. More on that shortly.

Geoff Bennett: We start tonight’s program in Georgia, where authorities say a gunman opened fire at a high school, killing four people, two students and two teachers. At least nine others were injured. Police say they have arrested a student who is the suspect. And investigators say they don’t yet know a motive.

This morning, about an hour outside of Atlanta, all-too-familiar scenes of chaos, ambulances and police cars racing toward Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, after reports of an active shooter. Dozens of emergency vehicles and a medevac chopper descended onto school grounds as students sought safety on the football field, all the while parents worried sick.

Woman: I’m shocked because, I mean, this is Barrow County. And stuff like this never happens here. Going to school, doing school after school, whatever you do, just pray because you never know, like, when stuff like this going to happen.

Geoff Bennett: Nearly 2,000 students attend Apalachee. The new school year kicked off about a month ago in early August. This afternoon, county officials identified the shooter as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the school. He will be charged with murder as an adult.

Jud Smith, Barrow County, Georgia, Sheriff: Our school resource officer engaged him. And the shooter quickly realized that if he did not give up, that it would end with an OIS, an officer-involved shooting.

Geoff Bennett: Jud Smith is the Barrow County sheriff.

Jud Smith: This hits home for me. I was born and raised here. I went to school in this school system. My kids go to this school system. I’m proud of this school system. My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community. But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county.

Geoff Bennett: In Washington, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden had been briefed on the situation and called for action from Congress.

Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary: Students and teachers deserve to know that their schools are safe. They should focus on learning, not lockdowns.

Geoff Bennett: And the shooting reverberated on the campaign trail. Vice President Kamala Harris began an afternoon event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on a solemn note.

Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (D) and U.S. Presidential Candidate: This is just a senseless tragedy, on top of so many senseless tragedies. And it’s just outrageous that every day, in our country in the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive.

Geoff Bennett: Donald Trump writing on his social media platform said in part: “Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, Georgia.”

Another school shooting, another community tonight in mourning.