Teacher shoots self at high school in Georgia, police say

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Lithia Springs High School in Lithia Springs, Georgia, cancelled classes Thursday morning after an incident involving a teacher, according to Douglas County sheriff's officials.

The officials said a school employee was flown to a hospital after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot at the school.

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No students were involved or injured. Just before 9 a.m., students could be seen walking through the parking lot and then back into the building.

“No students were in the building at the time. The campus has been secured, and students are in the gym. Students may be picked up by a parent or guardian, and buses will be available to take bus riders home. There will be no classes at Lithia Springs High School today,” Nell Boggs, community relations specialist for the Douglas County School System, said.

Boggs said a teacher suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound at about 7:15 a.m. while alone in his classroom.

During a news conference about the incident, the school's superintendent thanked first responders and emergency personnel for their swift efforts.

Sheriff's officials said the teacher arrived at the school Thursday morning, went to his classroom and suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"There were no students who ever saw this. This was a very isolated incident," a sergeant said.

Sheriff's officials said student safety is the first priority of theirs and the school board.

There were several hundred students who had made their way to the campus at the time of the shooting, but very few were inside the school building, sheriff's officials said.

Authorities said there were only two people involved: the teacher who suffered the gunshot and another teacher who was able to call 911.

"He was able to call to another teacher to call 911 upon his behalf," the sergeant said.

Authorities are not releasing information about whether or not the shooting was accidental and said they do not know the current condition of the teacher.

They said he was airlifted to a local hospital. He was still alive at the time, they said.

Authorities said grief counselors are already at the high school and will remain there for the time being.

"They will be here until they don't need it anymore," a sergeant said.

Cox Media Group