In Wake of Connecticut School Shooting, LHS Officials Arrest Intruder

Loganville Police Department confirmed that an intruder was arrested at Loganville High School on Friday after he entered the school without following the correct procedure.

"We did have a male arrested at the high school (on Friday)," said LPD Deputy Chief Dick Lowry "From what I understand, he was a former student who said he was there to get a work permit signed, but went to a classroom and started speaking with a student he knew. The teacher summoned the principal and (School Resource Officer). He was somewhat uncooperative initially but was determined not to be a threat to staff or students."

Lowry said the student was arrested. He said it was likely that the school was on heightened alert as a result of the shooting in Connecticut.

"The tragedy was certainly the topic of the day at all the schools so that may have played some part in it," Lowry said. "But the schools have plans in place for such events and the teacher responded immediately and appropriately. Our SROs take a very proactive stance on all school security issues as well. It certainly helps having two officers at the high school during the day."

Lowry said while the department doesn't anticipate having additional officers stationed at schools at the time, patrol officers will be spending extra time patrolling the campuses.

The mass shooting at the elementary school in Connecticut Friday has sent shock waves through the country with school systems taking a hard look at security procedures. The Gwinnett County Police Department announced Friday that it would be conducting increased police patrols in and around the schools within Gwinnett County.

"These increased patrols will be a joint effort with the Gwinnett County School Police and Uniformed Officers with the Gwinnett County Police Department," Public Information Officer Cpl. Edwin Ritter said Friday in a press release. "Officers will be assigned to every school within Gwinnett County Police Jurisdiction and these patrols will last for the next several days."

Officials with Gwinnett County said there were concerns about the possibility of a "copy cat" or similar type incident occurring within Gwinnett County.