The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging students who may have seen the dead body of a 15-year-old Monday to seek counseling.
Officials are also warning people not to believe everything they read on social media.
The student was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on the side of the road near Pleasant Grove Road and Majesty Drive in the western part of the county, sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Ashley Henson said.
The sheriff’s office, which will not release identifying information about the juvenile, issued a statement because erroneous information had been shared.
“Contrary to some false reports, the victim’s hands were not bound behind his back,” Henson said.
Because students on a Paulding County school bus likely saw the body on the side of the road as the bus passed the crime scene, Henson said, the school district is working with the affected schools and students to help them cope.
At no time during this incident did deputies or detectives believe the public was in danger.
“Teen suicide is a grave problem in the United States and should be taken seriously,” Henson said. “If you, or someone you know, is struggling with suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, depression, or any other ailment which might lead to suicide, please get some help as soon as possible.”
The Georgia Crisis Access Line is 1-800-493-1932.
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