ATLANTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Office of Communications and Public Engagement
130 Trinity Avenue SW | Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Ian Smith, Executive Director
404-802-2855, office
404-603-6934, cell
ian.smith@atlanta.k12.ga.us

 

Seth Coleman, Media Relations Manager
404-802-2891, office
404-406-5570, cell
seth.coleman@atlanta.k12.ga.us  

  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     

October 10, 2019

 

Update on Investigation into Alleged Incident at Deerwood Academy and Media Availability with APS Police Chief Ronald Applin at 10:30 a.m. on October 11

 

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Public Schools Police Department (APSPD) has completed its investigation into an allegation made by a Deerwood Academy student that a man with a gun attempted to abduct that student from the playground on Monday, October 7. The evidence collected, including the surveillance footage, testimonials from students and adults and the timeline of events does not support the student’s allegation of being attacked on the playground by an armed man. APSPD has notified the student’s family that these allegations are unfounded.

 

In addition, the investigation determined that school safety protocols were in place, ensuring that all students were supervised and accounted for at all times, including during the time of the alleged incident. APSPD dispatch recordings confirm that APSPD contacted the Atlanta Police Department 10 minutes after being made aware of the allegations. Further, as a courtesy, APS Police Chief Ronald Applin contacted APD’s local commander at the end of the day (6:00 p.m.) to ensure that APD was fully aware of the incident.

 

 

WHO:          APS Police Chief Ronald Applin

WHAT:        Update on the investigation into an alleged incident, which occurred Monday at Deerwood Academy.

WHEN:        Friday, October 11 | 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:      Alonzo A. Crim Center for Learning and Leadership | 130 Trinity Ave., SW

VISUALS:    Surveillance footage, timeline and other information

Please RSVP to Seth Coleman, Media Relations Manager.

 

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About Atlanta Public Schools

Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 52,000 students across 87 schools. The District is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 58 traditional schools, 18 charter schools, six partner schools, two citywide single-gender academies and three alternative programs. To learn more about Atlanta Public Schools, follow us on social media – Twitter (@apsupdate), Facebook (Atlanta Public Schools), and Instagram (apsupdate) – or visit us online at www.atlantapublicschools.us.