A veteran Douglas County, Georgia teacher reportedly shot himself with a handgun on Thursday, August 17, resulting in about 1,100 Lithia Springs High School students having been picked up at the school because classes were canceled, according to Douglas sheriff’s Sgt. Jesse Hambrick. The students just returned to school from their summer break on Monday, August 7.
Hambrick confirms, “Obviously we do not allow teachers to carry handguns on our property.”
According to officials, the shooting occurred about 7:15 a.m. Classes are scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m.
The teacher was outside his classroom when a fellow staff member found him. She then directed another staff member to call 911. The reported self-inflicted gunshot wound has left him in stable condition. An 18-year-veteran with the school system, he was flown to an undisclosed hospital.
Douglas County Schools superintendent Trent North asked the community for prayers. “You have family. “When one of your family is hurting, you hurt as well.” He added the school community is “suffering because our family member is in need.”
“Teachers are part of our family. The most important thing we do as a school system is to keep our staff and students safe.”
