Banks County High School. (Photo: SKYFOX 5)HOMER, Ga. -
Authorities in Banks County say a student was rushed to a hospital after shooting himself in a school lunchroom. Police say the shooting occurred at Banks County High School at around 8:30 a.m. on Friday.
School officials in Banks County say the student shot himself in "what appeared to be a suicide attempt."
It happened as classes were about to start Friday morning. Students heard a gunshot from a bathroom. It's not believed that anyone else was in the bathroom except the boy with the gun.
Authorities released few details about the student. They are looking into what happened, but not necessarily why.
"The GBI was in called by Banks County Sheriff's to deal with the facts of the investigation. During the collection of these fact, it is reveals that,then that's part of our investigation," said Jesse Maddox.
Before the students were released, parents were outside sending text messages to their children, who then sent reassuring messages back about their own safety.
It was long wait for families, who said their children knew the young man.
"She says that he was a very troubled child. She said that he had been struggling with this for quite some time," said Sandra Fowler.
The student was transported to the hospital. That student's injuries were not immediately known.
There were no other injuries, according to authorities.
The school issued a statement saying, "A student at Banks County High School brought a gun to school this morning in what appears to be a suicide attempt. The student has been taken to the hospital and the student's parents have been notified. No other student is currently at risk. The emergency lock down procedures of the school safety plan were immediately implemented and have worked as planned."
Counselors will be on hand Monday to help students them return to class.
