Soft lockdown, counseling support in place after deadly weekend shooting in Treutlen County

Superintendent Susan Stone says schools are focusing on safety, support and unity as the community mourns a student killed in Sunday’s shooting.

SOPERTON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Treutlen County community is reeling after a weekend shooting left one student dead and another hospitalized, prompting local schools to enact a soft lockdown this week. 

Law enforcement said Monday two arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, which happened Sunday on New Street. 20-year-old Emily Ford of Dublin and 19-year-old Allen Knight of Soperton are both charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and two counts of party to the crime.

Treutlen County Schools Superintendent Susan Stone says the community is heartbroken.

“So we’re just going to continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers as we continue moving through this week as well as the upcoming weeks,” she said. 

Although there is no direct threat to the school, Stone explained that the decision to implement a soft lockdown was made out of an abundance of caution.

“To ensure that our students feel safe, that our parents feel safe,” she said. “I just want everyone to know that we work very hard as a school district, as a board of education, as a staff to ensure the safety of our students.”

During the soft lockdown, students are permitted to move freely inside school buildings, but all outdoor activities—including recess and outdoor lunch—are suspended. Extra police presence will continue throughout the week, and students will go through weapons detection systems each morning.

Counselors are available to support students and staff as they process the tragedy.

All after-school activities scheduled for Monday were canceled, and district officials were working on a plan for the remainder of the week.

“We are strong, and we’re a strong community, and we will come together and we will continue to grow and to continue to support each other,” Stone said.