Student shot during argument in Georgia high school bathroom, officials say

A Warner Robins high school will stay closed for the rest of the week after one student was injured in a shooting Wednesday afternoon on the campus, officials said. A 14-year-old student is in custody.

The Houston County Sheriff's Office reports that the shooting happened at Warner Robins High School. The sheriff's office said that one student was injured in the gunfire and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The sheriff's office had initially stated that two people were injured, but Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton later clarified that only one person was hurt.

In a news briefing Wednesday night, Moulton said the shooting happened at around 2:15 p.m. local time in one of the school's bathrooms. Investigators believe two ninth-grade students got into an argument that eventually escalated, and one of the students pulled out a gun and shot the other, the sheriff told reporters.

The 14-year-old who fired the gun fled the school on foot, Moulton said. The teen was eventually apprehended in a nearby neighborhood.

"Fortunately, what could have been a much worse incident was minimized to us only having one student injured," Moulton said.

Authorities have not said how the teen obtained the firearm, or who it may be registered to. They have also not shared what he may be facing.

Officials say that Warner Robins High School will be closed for the rest of the week for all students. Staff will not come in on Thursday. The school's crisis team will be on campus on Friday and Monday to support students and staff.

Warner Robins is located in Central Georgia, about 100 miles south of Atlanta.

Georgia lawmakers say the Houston County community is in their thoughts after Wednesday's shooting.

Warner Robins Mayor LaRhonda W. Patrick said her community was saddened to hear that the incident could happen so close to home.

"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," she wrote on Facebook. "We shall overcome together."

In a statement on X, Gov. Brian Kemp said he was grateful for the men and women who responded to the scene at the high school.

"Their action quickly brought the situation under control and kept students, faculty, and staff safe," Kemp wrote. "As we wait for more details to emerge, we're thankful for all those who keep our classrooms safe."