Crime
Juvenile shot at Lindley Middle School in Mableton, Georgia
Cobb County Schools said this was self inflicted.
Lindley Middle School, located at 50 Veterans Memorial Highway, was placed on lockdown Wednesday afternoon following a shooting incident on campus, authorities confirmed.
The swift response ensured the safety of students and staff, and the campus has since been thoroughly cleared and deemed secure.
A spokesperson for the Cobb County School District provided additional information regarding the incident at Lindley Middle School, stating, “This afternoon, a student at Lindley Middle School tragically used a firearm in an act of self-harm, which initiated a Code Red lockdown. School administrators, in collaboration with a Cobb County School District police officer, responded promptly and successfully secured the weapon.”
The student was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and remains in critical condition. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, and support services have been made available to the school community to help cope with the tragedy.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Cobb County Police Department, in collaboration with the Cobb County School Police, secured the campus and initiated a lockdown to ensure the safety of all students and staff.
Parents were directed to reunite with their children at Leland United Methodist Church at 81 Veterans Memorial Highway, where arrangements were made for an orderly and safe process.
Police and school officials worked closely to manage the situation, and a visible law enforcement presence remains on-site as the investigation continues.
Authorities have not yet released information regarding the circumstances leading to the shooting or the identity of any potential suspects. Law enforcement is actively gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine the events that transpired.
Officer Barner expressed gratitude to the community for their cooperation:
“We are working closely with the Cobb County School Police and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, and patience during this time.”
The incident has understandably caused concern among parents and the wider community. The Cobb County School District and local law enforcement are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and ensuring the ongoing safety of students and staff.
Counseling and support services will be made available to students, staff, and families affected by this incident. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward to assist in the investigation.
The Cobb County Police Department and the Cobb County School Police will continue their collaborative efforts to ensure a thorough investigation. Updates on the situation will be shared with the public as they become available.
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the shared responsibility for ensuring school safety.
Crime
4 Killed in Eden Crash at Carroll and Church Streets, Driver and Victims Identified
Michael Vernon, driver of dump truck involved charged.
A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, has left four people dead and several others injured following a multi-vehicle incident involving a dump truck and a utility work crew.
The Eden Police Department confirmed the incident occurred Thursday afternoon at approximately 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street, and Park Road.
According to a news release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon of Eden was operating a 2016 Hino dump truck owned by the City of Eden.
While traveling northbound on Carroll Street, Vernon failed to stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection with Church Street.
The dump truck proceeded through the intersection, striking six pedestrians—utility workers contracted through Carolina Power and Signalization—who were performing powerline work in the area.
The dump truck continued traveling north after striking the pedestrians, colliding with an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and crashing into a ditch.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene within minutes. Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield
- Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge
- William Evans, 35, of Randleman
- Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem
The two surviving pedestrians sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to medical facilities.
They have been identified as:
- Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville – transported to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in critical condition
- Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden – airlifted in stable condition
Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was inside the bucket truck at the time of the crash, was transported by ground to UNC Health Rockingham with non-life-threatening injuries.
Michael Vernon sustained minor injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
He has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Investigators confirmed that impairment is not believed to have played a role in the crash.
Further charges may be considered as the investigation progresses.
The intersection remained closed for several hours as law enforcement officers and emergency crews conducted their investigation.
The area was reopened to traffic at approximately 10:30 p.m.
In a statement, Duke Energy, which works in coordination with Carolina Power and Signalization, expressed condolences:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors, and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials.”
The NCSHP continues to lead the investigation, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact local authorities.