Sheriff calls for more training after deputy shoots gun in Peach Co. school

A school resource deputy will face repercussions after allegedly accidentally shooting a gun in a Fort Valley high school Friday morning, according to the Peach County Sheriff’s Office.

The gun was loaded, and the shot was fired inside Peach County High School, Sheriff Buck Shannon told The Telegraph.

“I know he will be going to some remedial classes on weapons... at the training center in Forsyth,” Shannon said. “That’s going to be a requirement for them to go back through some kind of weapons training.”

Where did the gun go off?

Shannon was still unsure of many details surrounding the incident by Friday afternoon.

He did not know how the gun accidentally went off. He was also unsure where the incident occurred inside the school, and if staff, students or others witnessed it.

“This morning while preparing for duty in a location that is restricted to students, one of our school resource officers’ firearms was accidentally discharged,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook around 9:30 a.m.

Shannon said resource officers always carry loaded guns on duty.

The deputy apologized, and normal school operations were not disrupted, the sheriff’s office said.

No one was injured, according to the Facebook post.

“The deputy is okay, but he’s concerned about the students, and is very sorry this incident happened,” Shannon said.

Sheriff’s office Internal Affairs Division will investigate

The sheriff’s office Internal Affairs Division will investigate what happened. Shannon said this could take a couple weeks.

“This takes a while because we want to make sure we go through it with a fine-tooth comb,” Shannon said.

Shannon did not release the deputy’s name or any other details.

This story may be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM.