A school shooting in Barrow County, Georgia on Wednesday that left four people dead, including a Rome native who was a coach at the Apalachee High School, and nine injured, is impacting communities all across the Peach State.  Two local Chattooga County School employees have sons that teach at the school.  The tragedy has left many with questions as to what could be done to prevent events like this from happening.  State School Supt. Richard Woods issued a statement about the shootings:

I am devastated by the news of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School today. My heart and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those affected and the entire Barrow County community. This is an unimaginable loss for Barrow and for our entire educational community across the state.

The Georgia Department of Education is actively monitoring the situation in Barrow County and will continue to respond as additional information is available. Our School Safety team is in contact with the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) and with Barrow County Schools, and our entire agency stands ready to assist in any way possible.

I ask that all Georgians keep the community of Apalachee High School and, first and foremost, the families of those lost, in your thoughts. I know we will come together as a state to support the Barrow County community as they face this tragic loss.