17-Year-Old Charged in Shooting Near Therrell High School

Atlanta police say a 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a Monday afternoon shooting at Therrell High School in southwest Atlanta.

According to Officer John Chafee, Marcellus Brooks has been charged with five counts of aggravated assault for allegedly shooting five people, three of whom remained hospitalized late Tuesday. Four of those shot were students and each of the wounded were transferred to Grady Memorial Hospital in stable condition.

The shooting did not occur on school property, and instead took place in the nearby area of Panther Trail and Childress Drive. A motive behind the shooting, which occurred around 4 p.m., has not been established according to investigators.

Although the shooting did not happen on campus, Therrell was temporarily placed on lockdown for students participating in after-school activities, and eventually all afternoon activities were cancelled at the school.

According to the Atlanta Public Schools Twitter account, backpacks and book bags have been banned for the rest of the year as a safety precaution at Therrell. Counselors will be on campus Wednesday to support students, faculty and staff.

According to jail records, Brooks was arrested last month by MARTA police on a felony robbery charge.

This is a developing story and check back with Patch for updates.