Suspect ID'd in Active Shooter Incident

Paulding County authorities have identified the suspect in Friday’s active shooter incident that briefly put South Paulding High School on lockdown.

John Joseph Baxter, 47, has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement and single counts of aggravated assault, entering auto and criminal trespass.

More charges are possible.

Baxter is accused of being responsible for the incident Friday afternoon, during which he allegedly fired a rifle into the air several times as he fled.

The police activity locked down South Paulding High School until an all-clear was given around 4:40 p.m.

Paulding County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Ashley Henson said deputies responded to an armed robbery call about theft of farm equipment.

“The suspect pointed a rifle at the complainant and then fled,” Henson said in a Friday email. ”Once deputies arrived on scene the suspect pointed the rifle at the deputies from a distance. During the incident, the suspect fired the weapon in the air several times.”

Witnesses saw the suspect a short time on Bobby Austin Road, where he reportedly dropped the rifle. He was found hiding in an abandoned residence.

Photo: John Joseph Baxter; Gwinnett County Jail mug shot.