DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Channel 2 Action News confirmed that one person is in custody after shots were fired at a DeKalb County elementary school.
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The DeKalb County school board chairman said there was an active shooter at Ronald E. McNair Discovery Learning Academy just after 1 p.m.
DeKalb County police chief Cedric Alexander said the suspect fired on officers as they arrived and officers returned fire.
The man, described as 19-years-old and wearing all black, was armed with an AK-47 and other guns, police said. Alexander said they also feared the suspect had explosives in his vehicle.
Sources told Channel 2’s Mark Winne the suspect was peacefully apprehended by DeKalb County sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Marshals inside the school.
“The call went out. DeKalb police and DeKalb marshals were clearing the building. DeKalb sheriff’s deputies and the U.S. marshal’s service had also responded. They joined in and they happened to locate the suspect in the building – without incident, without resistance,” said Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne.
News Chopper 2 footage showed children running from the school building.
Parents were asked to go to the Walmart near Gresham Road and Interstate 20 to get their children. Hundreds of McNair elementary school parents flooded the parking lot to be reunited with their children, who were bused from the school. Parents must have photo ID to pick up thier child.
“When I first heard about the incident I had to rush to leave work, about an hour away to the school to see if everything is alright. When I got here they’d caught the guy and that’s a good thing. Man I just heard all the kids are fine. Just good to have your lil one back with you,” parent Antoine Johnson said.
A woman in the school office called Channel 2 Action News to report that there was a shooter in the school. She told a Channel 2 assignment desk editor that the gunman asked her to call WSB-TV and police. Shots could be heard over the call.
Channel 2 Action News has 16 crews covering all angles of the shooting. Reporter Dave Huddleston spoke to parents gathered at Walmart about how they heard about the shooting.
Parents at Walmart spoke to Channel 2’s Lori Geary about their fears for their childrens’ safety.
“My daughter called me on the telephone while I was at home and she said ‘Mom, are you listening to the news? There’s something going on at Nadia’s school. And so, she was on her way to Walmart and I came behind her,” Anna, the grandmother told Geary.
Nadia’s mother, Kimberly, said she now fears sending her little girl to school.
“It makes me want to home school my daughter,” Kimberly said.
“I understand that my child is safe right now. But the fact that somebody can come into the school and have a weapon and me not be able to get to her, and hold her, and comfort her, because I don’t know what’s going on with her,” Kimberly said. “So, it kind of makes me just keep my daughter at home and home school her.”
Channel 2’s Erica Byfield spoke to woman who lives down the street from the school.
The neighbor, who did not want to give her name, said she was in her kitchen when her dog started barking frantically. After hearing about five shots, she was compelled to run outside and check her surroundings, knowing a school was nearby.
“At first, I heard some little small shots. Then, I heard ‘bang, bang, bang!’ Then, I heard, ‘doom, doom, doom shots, so I knew something was wrong,” she told Byfield.
The neighbor said she hopes the gunman pays for what he’s done.
“I hope they get him and prosecute him for what he’s done, because these are innocent kids,” she said.
Students will have school on Wednesday, but classes will be held at McNair High School. The students will maintain the same bus schedule.
Channel 2 Action News crews remain at the scene. Check back with WSBTV.com for updates and watch continuing coverage on Channel 2 Action News.