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 to the fatal shooting.
The Thomasville Police Department credited their Flock Safety system with significantly aiding their investigation, according to the report. The system, operational since 2022, uses artificial intelligence-powered devices called Ravens to detect gunfire. 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.
“It’s invaluable … the information … and how fast it comes in that it identifies the area where the incident occurred,” Major Shane Harris said. “It’s not that an officer has to go there and start talking to witnesses and then find the location. We know the location as we’re en route.”
In 2024, the system detected 340 gunshots across the city, according to the report.
