BARROW COUNTY, Ga. — Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith fought back tears on Wednesday afternoon while giving an update on the shooting that killed four people and hospitalized nine others at Apalachee High School.
Sheriff Smith said that never in his career could he have foreseen speaking about the "pure evil" that had happened at the school.
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"This hits home for me," he said. "I'm proud of this school system."
The sheriff was born and raised in the area. He attended a school in the district and so do his children.
"My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community, but I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county," he said.
Sheriff Smith said that Gov. Brian Kemp has provided all resources possible and that it may never be known why this shooting happened. Law enforcement identified the alleged shooter as 14-year-old Colt Gray. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said the teenager was a student at the school. He has been charged with murder and will be tried as an adult.
Law enforcement responded to reports of an active shooter at 10:23 a.m., according to a release from the Barrow County Sheriff's Office. The situation unfolded rapidly, with multiple agencies arriving on the scene to manage the emergency and begin the investigation.
Sheriff Smith asked that the community lift up schools and public safety during this time and not let this "hateful event prevail."
Instead, he said, "Love will prevail over what happened today."
The full press conference can be watched below.