UPDATE:
Valdosta police officers shot and killed a man they say was approaching the entrance to S. L. Mason Elementary school with a gun Thursday.
VPD says an officer heard gunshots near Lamar Street Thursday afternoon and saw the man "entering the campus." They say the school immediately went on lockdown.
Officers fired their guns at the man, hitting him. They tried to save the his life, but he died on scene.
No students or staff were harmed.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
The Lowndes County coroner arrived at the scene shortly after 3:30 p.m. He says the suspect had multiple gun shot wounds.
The body will be transported to the GBI medical examiner's office for an autopsy, and the bureau is taking the lead on the investigation.
Neither VPD nor the coroner identified the deceased suspect or the officers involved.
The GBI will share more information as it becomes available.
EARLIER:
The Valdosta Police Department is currently at S.L. Mason Elementary School after an incident in a surrounding neighborhood ended up on campus.
A spokesperson for the school district, Jennifer Steedley, says that a suspect involved in the incident ran onto campus and was wounded. They say the school is an active crime scene, and they're on lockdown out of an abundance of caution.
VPD says all students and staff are accounted for.
Steedley says all bus riders have already been loaded and safely taken from campus. She says students who remain on campus are inside the building with adults and are safe.
Valdosta PD is assisting with a safe and orderly process to release car riders to their families.
No information has been given regarding the details of the incident, and the department says more details will be shared as they become available.
WTXL has a crew on scene:
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This is a developing story.
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