UPDATE: 14-year-old hospitalized after fight in bathroom led to shooting at Warner Robins High School

UPDATE (6:10 p.m.): Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton says a fight inside a Warner Robins High School bathroom led to Wednesday afternoon’s shooting involving two 14-year-old students.

Moulton said a gun was pulled out and fired inside the bathroom around 2:15 p.m. The victim, a 14-year-old ninth-grade student, suffered a gunshot wound. A tourniquet was applied before the student was taken to a hospital, where the student is receiving treatment.

The suspected shooter, a 14-year-old ninth-grade student, ran from the school after the shooting. Law enforcement took the student into custody shortly after 3 p.m. in the Huntington Hills neighborhood.

The FBI, GBI and Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Houston County Sheriff’s Office with the response.

“From the sheriff’s office to the family of the victim, our prayers are with you,” Moulton said.

Houston County Superintendent Dr. Mark Scott said students will not return to Warner Robins High School until Monday. Staff members will remain home Thursday and return Friday. Counselors and other support staff will be available as the school community begins recovering from the shooting.

UPDATE (5:31 p.m.): Warner Robins High School will be closed for all students Thursday and Friday. Teachers will return on Friday, and students will return on Monday.

Warner Robins High School Principal Dr. Brett Wallace sent this message to parents, according to the Houston County School District:

“Today was a hard day for our school and the entire community. We are grateful that the student who was injured is receiving care, and we are incredibly thankful for the quick response of law enforcement and first responders.

Warner Robins High School will be closed for all students Thursday and Friday. Teachers will return Friday, August 14, and students will return Monday, August 17. There will be no virtual learning for students during this time. We want our students to have the opportunity to be at home, surrounded by family, and to take the time they need to process, heal, and care for one another.

Student Services will have additional counselors and support staff onsite both Friday and Monday for any student or staff member who needs to talk to someone about how they are feeling.

To our Demon family: I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of each and every one of you. There is strength in this community. We will stand together, support one another, and overcome this—together.”

UPDATE (4:49 p.m.): Sheriff Matt Moulton says only one student was injured by gunfire.

“Initial reports indicated that there were two victims,” he wrote. “However, there was one student injured by gunfire. That student was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”

In an earlier update, the sheriff wrote that two people had been hospitalized but did not explain the second person’s injuries. The school district confirmed earlier Wednesday that one student had been shot.

We’ll seek clarification on the number of total victims and injuries in the news conference scheduled for 6 p.m.

UPDATE (4:46 p.m.): Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda Patrick has issued a statement after Wednesday’s shooting at Warner Robins High School.

“We are saddened to hear about the incident taking place at one of our schools here in Houston County,” she wrote on social media.” This type of incident impacts our students, faculty, and parents, but also our entire community. We appreciate all of our public safety officers, police and fire, for their rapid response in protection of our children. We shall overcome together.”

UPDATE (4:18 p.m.): Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp thanked first responders and law enforcement who “immediately responded to the situation at Warner Robins High School.”

In a social media post, the governor said their action “quickly brought the situation under control and kept students, faculty and staff safe.”

“As we wait for more details to emerge, we’re thankful for all those who keep our classrooms safe,” he wrote.

UPDATE: (4:12 p.m.): Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton says a news conference will be held at 6 p.m. 41NBC will be there to provide updates.

UPDATE (4:07 p.m.): Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) says he’s “closely following” the situation in Warner Robins.

UPDATE (4:05 p.m.): Warner Robins High School has now started a controlled dismissal, according to an update from the school district.

“To ensure students are released in a safe and orderly manner, we are dismissing students in phases,” the update said.

Buses are being loaded first, followed by car riders and then student drivers and walkers.

“Please be aware that dismissal will take longer than normal, and we appreciate your patience as we work to safely release all students.”

Law enforcement remains on campus.

A controlled dismissal is underway at Warner Robins High School. (Photo: Austin Slocumb/41NBC)

UPDATE (3:40 p.m.): The Houston County Sheriff’s Office says two students have been taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries and that a suspect is in custody. The school is secure, according to an update on social media.

The sheriff’s office did not say a second student had been shot. We’re awaiting confirmation on the cause of the second student’s injuries.

“This is still an active investigation,” an updated Facebook post said. “No further information is available.”

ORIGINAL STORY (3 p.m.):

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Law enforcement is asking people to avoid Warner Robins High School after a shooting was reported on campus Wednesday afternoon.

Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton said in a Facebook post that there is a significant law enforcement presence at the school on South Davis Drive.

The post asked drivers to use alternate routes so first responders can safely work in the area.

In a message sent to parents, school officials said Warner Robins High School was placed under a Code Red and students and staff were secured in their classrooms while law enforcement responded.

School officials later confirmed a student was shot and one injury was reported. All other students remained in their classrooms.

Officials said dismissal would begin under a controlled release. Parents and visitors were asked not to come to the school to allow law enforcement and school personnel to respond without interruption.

No additional information has been released about the injured student, the circumstances surrounding the shooting or whether anyone is in custody.

Moulton said the sheriff’s office will release updates as more information becomes available.

41NBC’s Monica Diaz-Meek and Bre’Anna Sheffield are on the way to the scene.

This is a developing story. Check back with 41NBC for updates.