DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — UDPATE: Police said in an afternoon update that the suspect was found and killed in a shootout with officers. All schools have since lifted their lockdowns.
Original story below
Eight DeKalb County schools are on lockdown Wednesday as authorities search for a suspect that shot at two sheriff's deputies, according to authorities.
"The Dekalb County School District is aware of a shooting involving DeKalb County Sheriff deputies," a district communications note read.
The school district said the following schools are on level two lockdown:
- Lithonia High School
- Miller Grove High School
- Bethune Middle School
- Miller Grove Middle School
- Marbut Elementary School
- Panola Way Elementary School
- Stoneview Elementary
- Woodridge Elementary
"The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain top priority," a district spokesperson said in a statement.
District leaders added the lockdown was "out of an abundance of caution" and DeKalb County School District police officers are present on each campus. School leaders have not clarified how the lockdowns may impact dismissal times.
The lockdowns come as law enforcement searches for Edward Allen Gatling, the man authorities say shot at two investigators with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
According to investigators, deputies Aaron Jackson and Ja'rad Hunt were serving a search warrant Wednesday morning at a home along Wellington Circle in Lithonia when Gatling fired the shots. The sheriff said the law enforcement officers did not fire their guns.
As of the last update, the two are said to be "conscious and alert" and are receiving care at Grady Hospital.