Teen arrested, 1 wanted in shooting at McEachern High School, police say
POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. - One teenager is in custody and another gunman remains on the run after a shooting that injured two people outside a Cobb County high school, forcing the campus into a"code red" situation on Thursday.
The shooting was reported around 1:47 p.m. at McEachern High School in Powder Springs.
Officials with the Cobb County Police Department confirmed with FOX 5 that they have made an arrest in connection with the shooting and are searching for another suspect.
Cobb County police confirmed two younger people, who are not students, were shot in the parking lot following some sort of argument or altercation. Those two people, who have not yet been identified, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries where authorities say they are expected to survive.
Authorities say they do not know why the individuals were on campus.
On Friday, Cobb County police say a witness to the fight, identified as 17-year-old Powder Springs resident Scott Foor, shot both victims. Foor was arrested by the Cobb County Police Violent Crime Bureau in Union City and is now charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm on school property.
A second gunman, who remains unidentified, began after Foor fired shots, police say. That individual, who is not in custody at this time, did not hit anyone.
A video circulating appears to show the shooting. VanHoozer could not comment directly on the video, but did say investigators are looking at it.
The shooting forced the school into "code red," with students and staff being told to shelter in place. As of 4 p.m., the campus was secure.
John Hill, whose son is a first-year student at McEachern High told FOX 5 he tried to pick up his son as soon as his son texted him.
"My son told me. He texted said, 'Dad, there's been a school shooting.' So, I immediately texted back, and he said he was fine," Hill said.
Hill said he called the school, but there was no answer, so he rushed over. The shooting has him concerned over campus security and possibly a need to increase it.
"This just doesn't make any sense," Hill said.
A woman who spoke to FOX 5 was trying to pick up her nephew, who is a junior.
"He was scared and wanted to know how he was getting home because he's a car ride," she said, adding he had reached out to his mother to report the shooting.
The woman, who asked not to be identified, said she was shocked when she heard the news.
"My heart just dropped. It dropped," she said. "It's just not safe anywhere, it's scary."
One parent told FOX 5 he's concerned about his children's safety.
"My main concern is the open campus at McEachern. Because it’s so open, things like this happen. This is not the first time a gun has been on this campus," he told FOX 5. "The principal walks around with three police officers like she’s the president. This is my main concern. You’re safe, but are our kids safe?"
District officials say classes will operate as normal at the school on Friday.
Officials are asking anyone with pertinent information about to shooting or second gunman to call the Cobb County Police Department Major Crimes Unit at 770-499-4111.
This is a developing story. Check back with FOX 5 for updates. If you have photos or video, email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.