The system, which authorities say was put in place about a week ago, prevented a "much larger tragedy,” Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said.

A new panic alarm system that was triggered during Wednesday’s deadly shooting at a Georgia high school likely saved countless lives, authorities and advocates for the technology said.

Lockdown warnings flashed on classroom screens at Apalachee High School as gunshots rang out, prompting students and teachers to lock the door, turn off the lights and huddle in the farthest corner from the entrance, witnesses said.

At the same time, alerts automatically went out to law enforcement officers, who responded and ended the shooting rampage within minutes, according to Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith and Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey.

  • pooEnglish
    35•10 days ago

    As a Canadian, I literally worry about being shot whenever I have to visit the US (I try to avoid it). That’s the kind of reputation the US has

    • circuitfarmer
      11•10 days ago

      As an American, I get it. Personally I’m very weary of being out in large crowds at this point, which sucks because, you know, life.

      It may ultimately be a subset of our population which has directly or indirectly caused this situation, but make no mistake: we put ourselves in the hole.