The student who suffered a self-inflicted gun shot wound at Lindley Middle School last week has died, Cobb County police confirmed Tuesday.
The student was airlifted to the hospital where she was in critical condition for days after the shooting Wednesday afternoon. School officers and Cobb police searched the school after getting the code red alert just before 3 p.m. They found the female student injured in the bathroom. She was 12 years old, according to a police report.
Law enforcement quickly secured the weapon and determined there was no threat to other students or staff, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported. Officials said last week they do not know how she got the gun into the school and would not say what kind of weapon was used. Cobb police, the lead investigators, did not provide any additional updates. Cobb County Schools officials did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Parents and students were shaken by the incident, and some called for stronger security and mental health resources in schools. School officials said counseling services would be made available to students and staff.
“We also encourage families to take this time to check in with their children and discuss their thoughts and feelings,” Lindley officials said in a note to parents last week. “Open communication at home, along with the resources we provide at school, can make a significant difference in helping students navigate challenging emotions.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution limits reporting on suicide because of concerns that attention can increase the likelihood of suicide in vulnerable individuals. We are reporting limited information in this case because the shooting took place in a school and prompted an emergency alert to be issued.
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