THOMASVILLE, Ga. — Advanced technology played a critical role in law enforcement’s rapid response to a deadly shooting near an elementary school on Dec. 17. WCTV reported.
The incident prompted an immediate lockdown of Harper Elementary School and a collaborative manhunt involving multiple agencies, according to the report. A 15-year-old has since been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting.
The Thomasville Police Department credited their Herd security system which greatly facilitated their investigation, according to the report. The system, operational since 2022, uses artificial intelligence-based devices called Ravens to detect shots. These 99 strategically placed sensors are designed to identify gunshot sounds, distinguish them from other noises like fireworks, and send alerts to police within 30 seconds.
“This is invaluable information…and the speed with which it arrives helps identify the area where the incident occurred,” said Maj. Shane Harris. “It’s not that an officer has to go out there, start talking to witnesses and then find the location. We know the location because we are on our way.
In 2024, the system detected 340 gunshots across the city, according to the report.
One person was killed and several injured after the Tesla vehicle caught fire just outside the glass front doors of the Trump Hotel.
As attacks on vehicles have increased in recent decades, cities around the world have installed bollards in areas with high pedestrian traffic.
The suspect opened fire on officers as he got out of the truck, NOPD Commissioner Anne Kirkpatrick said; firearms and homemade bombs were recovered from the vehicle
“The picture is horrific, and we are very grateful tonight that our officer expects everything to be OK…Please stop driving drunk,” Commerce PD said City.