Student Shot At Price Middle, Teacher Injured

HISTORIC SOUTH ATLANTA — A student was shot and a teacher injured Thursday afternoon at Price Middle School in southeast Atlanta.

11Alive television reported that the student was 14 years old and was shot in the head or back of the neck. The teacher was not shot but was hurt during the excitement after the shooting, police said.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that family members said the wounded student may be released from Grady Hospital on Thursday.

A juvenile suspect was quickly apprehended by a school resource officer and taken into custody, Atlanta police said. A small-caliber handgun was recovered. It appeared the victim and suspect knew each other and had argued earlier.

Parents crowded around the school and were relieved to be reunited with their children when school let out.

Atlanta police released this statement:

Around 1:50 p.m. today (January 31, 2013), Atlanta Police responded to reports of a person shot at Price Middle School at 1670 Benjamin Weldon Bickers Drive in southeast Atlanta.  On arrival, officers discovered a student had been shot outside of the building.

The student was transported in stable condition to Grady hospital with a gunshot wound to the back of his neck. He was alert, conscious and breathing on transport. Family members have told authorities he may be released as soon as tonight.

A suspect, tentatively identified as a fellow student, was immediately apprehended by a school resource officer – an off-duty Atlanta Police officer - and taken into custody. A weapon, a small caliber handgun, was recovered at the scene. Charges against the shooter are pending.

A school employee suffered minor injuries immediately following the shooting, though she was not wounded by gunfire. No other students were injured as a result of the incident. Identities of the victim and shooter will not be released due to their status as juveniles. The incident, including the motive, is under investigation by the Atlanta Police Department.

Preliminarily, it appears the incident was the result of a previous disagreement between the juveniles involved.

Price Middle School is south of I-20 in the Historic South Atlanta neighborhood at 1670 Benjamin Weldon Bickers Drive SE. The school was locked down, as was nearby Carver High, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

A school system spokesman said the school had metal detectors. The shooting happened outside between the main building and the gym.

Atlanta City Hall released this statement:

“I was disheartened to learn of the shooting at Price Middle School earlier today,” said Council President Ceasar C. Mitchell. “I will continue to pray for the student and teacher victims of today’s incident, both of whom are recovering. I commend the swift action of the Price Middle School staff, the leadership of the Atlanta Public Schools and the Atlanta Police Department to ensure the safety of all other students. Gun violence connected with our young people has, yet again, taken an unfortunate toll on our community and our sense of safety. We are past the tipping point for action.”