Ga. Teacher Shoots Himself in Lithia Springs High School
Few students were on campus at the time of the shooting because classes had not begun.
Students were directed to the gym of Lithia Springs High School upon arrival Thursday.
A teacher at Lithia Springs High School in Georgia is recovering in the hospital after he shot himself in a classroom Thursday.
The teacher, who has not been identified, is listed in stable condition at a local hospital, reports 11alive.com.
The incident occurred at 7:15 a.m. before classes began for the day. The Douglas County School System said in a statement that the teacher was alone in his classroom at the time he sustained the self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No students witnessed the shooting or crime scene and the campus was quickly secured.
The injured teacher was discovered by a school staff member who had experience in medical emergencies.
“She called 911, and we were able to provide her with the assistance she needed until we arrived,” Douglas County Police Sergeant Jesse Hambrick said.
Hambrock also noted that the shooting took place at a difference part of the school than where the teacher was discovered, meaning there are currently two crime scenes to investigate.
The teacher has been at Lithia Springs High School for 18 years. A criminal investigation is ongoing and it is unclear if charges will be brought.
Lithia Springs High School officials cancelled classes after the shooting. Arriving students were taken to the school gym to be picked up and buses were made available. At one point about 1,100 students were in the gym waiting for their parents or guardians.
Classes will resume as scheduled on Friday and grief counselors will be made available.
Lithia Springs has a population of about 15,000.
Following a state Supreme Court ruling last year, guns are only allowed on school property if someone is picking up or dropping off a student.
The shooting occurred a little more than a month after a Georgia law went into effect that allows concealed handguns on the campuses of public colleges.
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