A male teacher at a high school in Dalton, Ga., allegedly fired at least one gunshot this morning in a classroom, police say.
The Dalton Daily Citizen-News reports that no students were in the classroom where the gun was fired; no one was injured by the gunshot. One female student injured her ankle as the area was being evacuated.
The teacher, after barricading himself in the classroom for 30 to 45 minutes, surrendered to police.
UPDATE: The teacher has been identified as Randal Davidson, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. He is a 53-year-old social studies teacher and has been at Dalton High since 2004. In 2012, he was recognized as the school’s top teacher, according to the Dalton district.
He also is he longtime radio voice of Dalton High School football and basketball.
Police say the incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. at Dalton High School. Students were trying to get into a classroom, and the teacher was not letting anyone in. Principal Steve Bartoo came to the room and asked to be let in, but the teacher forced the door closed and wouldn't let anyone in.
As Bartoo went to unlock the door, he heard a gunshot from inside the classroom, police say.
The teacher was barricaded in the room for 30 to 45 minutes before he let police in and was arrested. In the meantime, students were moved to an offsite location.
Police said later that the gun came from a handgun and went through a classroom window to the outside.
Dalton High School has had an increased police presence since last week after of a threatening note was found. The threat resulted in increased patrols at all city schools and a drop in attendance.
After the teacher was taken into custody, the Dalton district issued a statement:
"In response to a threat lockdown at Dalton High School, students are being relocated to the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center at 2211 Dug Gap Battle Road. Parents and guardians should pick up their students at that location. DO NOT go to Dalton High School. Dalton Police Department has confirmed that a subject is in custody and no children have been injured. The area has been secured. [Dalton Police] and Georgia State Patrol are responding."Student safety is always our first priority. Please be patient with us as we implement our emergency plan in conjunction with the Dalton Police Department."
