A suspect has been arrested after a person was fatally shot outside a south Fulton County elementary school Tuesday in a domestic-related incident, officials said.
District spokesperson Brian Noyes told reporters the shooting happened “right outside the front door” of Palmetto Elementary School, which is on the right side of the building as seen from the street. The district confirmed an adult was killed and said all students and staff are safe.
“There’s several yards, probably 10 (or) 20 yards, from the front door to where the incident happened,” said Noyes as he spoke at the scene around 2:30 p.m.
In a letter sent to parents hours later by Principal Jacqueline Bowens, the situation was described as “a domestic dispute that spilled over onto school grounds.”
Officials have not released the victim’s name.
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Shortly before 6 p.m., Noyes said a suspect had been taken into custody in Houston County, which is more than 120 miles south of Palmetto, on unrelated charges. Noyes did not say what those charges were.
“The Fulton County Police Department is finalizing charges and will be issuing additional warrants,” Noyes stated in a text to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Law enforcement agencies are working together so the suspect can face criminal charges in Fulton County.”
Palmetto Elementary on Carlton Road was put under a hard lockdown as law enforcement worked the scene. Around 2 p.m., a photojournalist from the AJC observed only a few police cruisers and law enforcement officials walking inside and outside the school.
All students were relocated to Bear Creek Middle School about 5 miles away. Palmetto enrolls about 500 students in prekindergarten through fifth grades, according to Georgia Department of Education data.
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC
Officials asked parents and the public to stay clear of the school for safety reasons. Noyes said the school plans to have classes on Wednesday.
The AJC has reached out to law enforcement for additional information.
— This is a developing story. Please return for updates.
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