Parents received a message from school authorities about a “hard lockdown after reports of gunfire.” Once the all-clear was given, parents were invited to reunite with their children. Long lines of vehicles were seen outside the school, indicating the scale of the lockdown and subsequent reunification process.
US President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow over the incident.
“Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal,” he said.
Local television footage showed ambulances driving across a school field about two hours after the attack was first reported. Numerous vehicles were parked around the school, and a concerned crowd gathered on the football field, some people linking arms.
School shootings have become frequent in the United States. Around a third of adults in the country own a firearm, and regulations on purchasing even powerful military-style rifles remain lax. According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), the country has experienced at least 384 mass shootings this year alone. These incidents are defined as shootings involving at least four victims, either dead or wounded.The GVA also states that at least 11,557 people have been killed due to firearms violence this year. Polls indicate that a majority of voters support stricter controls on firearm use and purchase. However, the powerful gun ownership lobby opposes additional restrictions, and lawmakers have repeatedly failed to implement new measures.The tragic event at the high school in Georgia emphasizes the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States and raises further concerns about the safety of students nationwide.
With AFP Inputs
