Virginia lawmakers, officials react to Georgia school shooting that left 4 dead, 9 injured

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia lawmakers and local officials are taking to social media Wednesday to speak on a mass shooting at a Georgia high school that left four dead and nine injured.

The morning of Wednesday, Sept. 4, two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, were shot and killed. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as a 14-year-old Alapachee High student.

Nine other people were injured in the shooting. They were taken to local hospitals for treatment. As of the time of reporting, their ages or any other details are not yet available.

In the wake of this tragic shooting, several Virginia officials shared their reactions, with many posting them to X, formerly known as Twitter.

Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (D)

“Devastating is an understatement. Students in America should not fear going to school. My heart breaks for the victims, and my deepest thoughts are with their families.

Thoughts, however, are not enough. Now is the time for action. We need to protect our students!”

This statement was posted to X .

Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield)

“Our children have just started a new school year, and every family’s nightmare of another school shooting, another mass tragedy has occurred. No other developed country in the world allows children to face violence like this in their schools. We must have commonsense gun safety.”

This statement was posted to X .

Del. Michael Jones (D-Chesterfield)

“Praying for the families and students. This is so tragic.”

This statement was posted to X .

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg (D-Henrico)

In a quoted repost, VanValkenburg shared a clip of Vice President Kamala Harris speaking on the shooting on X. The original post contains the text, “Kamala Harris: And it is just outrageous that every day in our country that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive. It’s senseless. We’ve got to stop it. It does not have to be this way.”

VanValkenburg’s brief statement, attached to the repost, was “It does not have to be this way.”

State Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D)

“No parent should have to fear their child becoming a victim of a mass shooting at school.

My heart breaks for the victims, their loved ones, and the entire Winder community.

We must not accept the horrific cycle of gun violence as an American inevitability.”

This statement was posted to X .

State Sen. Tim Kaine (D)

“I am devastated by the tragic mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. I’m grateful to the first responders and praying for the loved ones of those who lost their lives. I wish a speedy recovery for those who were injured and healing for the entire community..”

This statement was posted to X on Kaine’s official account.

“The shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia is heartbreaking. Back-to-school season should be a time of joy—not fear or carnage.

My prayers are with the victims and their families. As we await more details, one thing is clear: we must do more to end gun violence.”

This statement was posted on X on Kaine’s personal account.

State Sen. Mark Warner (D)

“I’m heartbroken that the start of a school year has already been marred by senseless violence. My thoughts are with all those mourning the loss of innocent life in Georgia, and with all students who fear the terrible violence that mass shootings have brought to our schools.”

This statement was posted to X .

Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has not released a statement as of the time of reporting, nor has Attorney General Jason Miyares. As additional reactions come in, 8News will provide updates.

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