Suspect In Shooting At Fulton School Arrested In Middle GA

Updated 10:37 a.m. Wednesday

PALMETTO, GA — A suspect in a fatal shooting near Palmetto Elementary School in Fulton County was arrested Tuesday afternoon in Houston County, school officials say. The school spent much of the day on a hard lockdown after a woman was killed, they added.

Christopher Ates, 39, is accused of shooting and killing a woman just yards away from the school on Tuesday morning. Ates was arrested following a high-speed chase and vehicle crash, FOX Atlanta reported.

The Warner Robins Police Department said Ates was arrested by the Houston County Sheriff’s Office after a chase that began near Russell Parkway and Highway 41. Houston County Sheriff Matt Moulton told FOX 5 the suspect crashed his vehicle, ending the pursuit.

Ates was charged with reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer and cruelty to children in the second degree. He also will face charges in Fulton County for the shooting.

Palmetto Elementary Principal Jacqueline Bowens, in a letter to families obtained by Patch, said the shooting "appears to have been a domestic dispute that spilled over onto school grounds."

She continued:

"Tragically, a woman was shot and killed. While this is an incredibly difficult circumstance for our community, I want to reassure you that no Palmetto Elementary students or staff were involved, and at no time were individuals inside our building in danger. Our team acted swiftly and followed all safety protocols as trained."

Students were relocated to Bear Creek Middle School in Fairburn, the Fulton County School System said. The students were not involved in the incident, school officials said.

It is unknown what led to the deadly shooting, and the woman has not been identified.

Parents were asked not to arrive at the school as of early afternoon for safety concerns, school officials said. The lockdown remained until authorities cleared the area, they added.

The school system said it directly communicated with parents regarding reuniting them with their students.

"Situations like this can affect students in different ways. Our school community has resources and supports available should your student need assistance processing what occurred today. To support students and staff, counselors and additional support personnel from our CARE Team will be on site at Palmetto Elementary School tomorrow and available throughout the day," Bowens said in the letter to parents.

"Our priority is ensuring that everyone feels safe, heard, and supported. If you have any immediate concerns or feel that additional student support is needed, please do not hesitate to contact the school."

The Fulton County Schools Police Department is overseeing the investigation.

The Palmetto community is located in Fulton County's southern region, with a portion of it stretching into Coweta County.