A panic alarm system implemented at Apalachee High School in Georgia likely saved countless lives during a deadly shooting on Wednesday. Lockdown warnings prompted students and teachers to take quick action, while alerts automatically notified law enforcement officers who responded within minutes. Teachers wear ID badges with panic buttons that can alert authorities of an emergency. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey praised the system for preventing a larger tragedy.
The panic button at Apalachee was activated for the first time as the shooting unfolded. The technology is part of a system developed by Centegix, which advocates for Alyssa’s Law requiring schools to install silent panic alarms linked to law enforcement. The legislation is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Parkland shooting. Unfortunately, two students and two teachers were killed, while nine others were wounded during the attack.
The suspect in the shooting, Colt Gray, opened fire on his first full day of class and was apprehended by school resource officers within minutes of the alert being sent out. Gray had enrolled in the school district two weeks prior and had been investigated for online threats of a school shooting in the past. He has been charged with four counts of felony murder.
The incident underscores the importance of quick responses to emergencies in schools and the need for measures like Alyssa’s Law to increase school safety. The system at Apalachee was commended for its effectiveness in alerting authorities and preventing further casualties during the shooting.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
