Update: September 4, 2024, 8:12 p.m. EST:

To confirm, the subject referred to as the 13-year-old is the same subject in custody related to today's shootings at Apalachee High School. 

Update: September 4, 2024, 7:49 p.m. EST:

FBI Atlanta responded earlier today to Apalachee High School following reports of an active shooter. Throughout the day, FBI personnel have been coordinating with and supporting local and state law enforcement. The FBI will dedicate all available resources, as requested, to seek justice and bring closure for the victims and their families.

In May 2023, the FBI's National Threat Operations Center received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location and time. The online threats contained photographs of guns. Within 24 hours, the FBI determined the online post originated in Georgia, and the FBI's Atlanta Field Office referred the information to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for action.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office located a possible subject, a 13-year-old male, and interviewed him and his father. The father stated he had hunting guns in the house, but the subject did not have unsupervised access to them. The subject denied making the threats online. Jackson County alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the subject.

At that time, there was no probable cause for arrest or to take any additional law enforcement action on the local, state, or federal levels.

Initial Statement:

FBI Atlanta is aware of the current situation at Apalachee High School in Barrow County. 

Our agents are on scene coordinating with and supporting local law enforcement.