Churches respond today, for the future after deadly Georgia school shooting

By Scott Barkley - Posted at Baptist Press:

Published September 4, 2024

WINDER, Ga. (BP) – Area churches have canceled or altered normal Wednesday activities after a shooting at Apalachee High School left four dead and nine others taken to area hospitals with injuries.

In a press conference this afternoon, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey confirmed that the deceased were two students and two teachers.

Law enforcement arrived on the scene within minutes of alerts of an active shooter sent at 10:20 a.m. by a school resource officer. Joined by another resource officer, the group encountered the shooter moments later.

Hosey said AHS student Colt Gray, 14, immediately surrendered and will be tried as an adult and charged with murder. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith added later in the press conference that all nine of the injured were shot “in some capacity.”

Bethlehem Church sits three miles from the shooting and has numerous members connected to Apalachee High including students, teachers and coaches.

Pastor Jason Britt confirmed with Baptist Press that there were members harmed in the shooting but could not provide any further information. Bethlehem has canceled student services tonight and is opening its main campus for a night of prayer, worship, counseling and gathering with the community. Other churches in the area are doing the same.

Continue here.

See also:

• Multiple casualties reported at Apalachee High School | U.S. (christianpost.com)
• 5 things to know about Colt Gray | U.S. (christianpost.com)
• School shooting at Georgia high school kills four (denisonforum.org)
• GA Community Turns to God After School Shooting, 14-Year-Old to Be Charged with Murder | CBN News