Murder Suspect Charged In Shooting On Fulton School Campus

PALMETTO, GA — School police have officially charged the man arrested in connection with an on-campus shooting that killed a woman, Fulton County Schools said Thursday.

Fulton County Schools Police have taken custody of Christopher Ates, 39, who is accused of shooting and killing a woman Tuesday morning on the campus of Palmetto Elementary School. Ates was arrested following a high-speed chase and vehicle crash in Houston County, WAGA-TV reported.

"We are grateful to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office for their swift work in locating and apprehending the suspect and for their continued cooperation with our investigators," school officials said in a news release.

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Ates was booked into the Fulton County Jail and charged with felony murder, felony aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and carrying a weapon in a school safety zone, school officials said.

Though the woman was not identified by name, earlier in the week, school officials told Patch she was the parent of Fulton County Schools elementary age students. The students do not attend Palmetto, and the woman was not an employee of FCS.

The shooting prompted a lockdown at Palmetto, but school officials said students and staff remained safe. Police have not revealed a motive in the deadly shooting.

“Our department responded quickly and worked around the clock with our law enforcement partners to ensure this suspect was taken into custody," FCSPD Chief Mark Sulborski said in the release. "Our focus remains on protecting our students, staff and visitors. We appreciate the cooperation of the school leaders and the support of our community during this difficult time.”