'Sick And Deranged Monster': President Donald Trump Responds To Georgia High School Shooting

On Wednesday, 45th President Donald Trump responded to the school shooting that occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, describing the suspect as a "sick and deranged monster." The shooting resulted in the death of at least two students, two teachers, and the hospitalization of at least nine others. The suspect is reportedly of similar age to the students and is suspected to be a 14-year-old boy.

"Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster."

During a brief statement to the press, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith explained that the authorities still assess the situation and identify the victims. "We are asking for your patience … please let us get the facts that we need to make sure we get this right," Smith said. "This is going to take multiple days for us to get answers as to what happened and why this happened. What you see behind us is evil."

While the sheriff did not provide additional information about the suspect, he did confirm that he was in custody. According to The New York Post, the suspect is believed to be a 14-year-old boy, but it is unclear whether he attended the school.

In response to the tragedy, Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) explained that he had directed all available resources to aid those affected by the shooting. "I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state," Kemp posted to X. "We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation."

In a statement from the White House, President Joe Biden said that he had been briefed on the shooting and that he would be coordinating with local, state, and federal officials. "Jill and I are mourning the deaths of those whose lives were cut short due to more senseless gun violence and thinking of all of the survivors whose lives are forever changed," the president said in a statement. "What should have been a joyous back-to-school season in Winder, Georgia, has now turned into another horrific reminder of how gun violence continues to tear our communities apart. Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write. We cannot continue to accept this as normal."

President Biden then demanded that Republicans in Congress and Democrats work together on "common-sense gun safety legislation" to ban "assault weapons and high-capacity magazines." Vice President Kamala Harris also responded to the shooting during a campaign rally in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, telling the crowd, "It's senseless. We've got to stop it. We have to end this epidemic of gun violence in our country once and for all. You know it doesn't have to be this way."