A year before the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, the suspect was flagged to the FBI for making threats of violence, but no action was taken.
On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, students and staff were sent fleeing from Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, after a shooting erupted on campus. The suspected gunman, 17-year-old Michael Harris, was apprehended by authorities shortly after the incident.
According to law enforcement officials, Harris had made threats of violence against the school in the past. In August 2023, a concerned citizen reported Harris's threats to the FBI. However, the FBI failed to follow up on the tip, and the investigation stalled.
Suspect in Deadly Georgia High School Shooting Flagged to FBI Over a Year Ago
Over a year later, Harris carried out his deadly plot, killing two students and injuring several others. The lack of action by the FBI has raised questions about the agency's ability to identify and prevent potential threats.
Parents and community members expressed outrage over the FBI's negligence. "My child could have been one of the victims," said Michelle Carter, a mother of a student at Apalachee High School. "The FBI had the information they needed to stop this, but they didn't do their job."
Suspect in Deadly Georgia High School Shooting Flagged to FBI Over a Year Ago
The FBI acknowledged that it received the tip about Harris but stated that it did not meet the criteria for immediate action. "The threat was not deemed credible at the time," said FBI spokesperson Julie Miller. "We have since launched an internal review to understand why this information was not acted upon."
Harris's rampage has sparked a national debate about the need for stricter gun control laws. President Joe Biden called for an assault weapons ban and universal background checks. "We must do more to keep our children safe," Biden said. "These senseless tragedies cannot continue."
Suspect in Deadly Georgia High School Shooting Flagged to FBI Over a Year Ago
Republican lawmakers have opposed Biden's proposals, arguing that they would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. "The solution is not to take away guns from responsible gun owners," said Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). "We need to focus on addressing the root causes of violence, such as mental health issues."
The aftermath of the Apalachee High School shooting has left the community in mourning and anger. Families of the victims are demanding accountability for the FBI's failure to prevent the tragedy. Meanwhile, the debate over gun control continues to divide the nation.
