🌱 Decatur High Lockdown, Nearby Shooting + Restaurant Owner Charged

Hi all. It's me, Nicole Fallon-Peek, your host of the Sandy Springs Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 74 Low: 63.

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Here are the top three stories today in Sandy Springs:

1. Decatur High School was put on lockdown following a shooting on Tuesday evening, with reports of a person being shot and taken to the hospital. Decatur Police confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. A parent attending a soccer game at the school during the lockdown reported hearing what sounded like fireworks and seeing police cars and an ambulance outside. (Decaturish.com)
2. Brandon Ippolito, a restaurant owner in Roswell, has been charged with sexual crimes involving two minors, according to Roswell Police. The investigation began after Milton High school officials reported suspicious behavior in January, and detectives later charged Ippolito with furnishing obscene material to a minor, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, cruelty to children, and solicitation of sodomy involving a minor. Police said at least one of the relationships was long-term, and Ippolito was released on bond after being arrested on Feb. 23. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
3. A 20-year-old man was fatally shot behind the LYKE Catholic House on Beckwith Street near the Atlanta University Center, according to Atlanta police. Officials believe that the shooting was not random and was likely the result of a dispute, and the shooter is still at large. The Atlanta University Center is a group of Historically Black Colleges and Universities that include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College. (WSB Atlanta)

Today in Sandy Springs:

• City Hall Exhibit: Works By Lorraine Christie At Sandy Springs City Hall (12:00 PM)
• Team Trivia Night At Mutation Brewing Company (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• DeKalb County officials are searching for a 13-year-old girl named Hayden who was last seen on Monday near the 300 block of Eastwyck Circle. Hayden is described as having black braids, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a brown hoodie, black leggings, and white shoes. Anyone with information about her whereabouts should contact the Special Victims Unit at (770) 724-7710. (FOX 5 Atlanta)
• New homes have been listed for sale in the Sandy Springs area! Get all the property details at the link. (Sandy Springs Patch)
• Pollen season has arrived early in Georgia, with Atlanta Allergy & Asthma reporting the first count hitting quadruple digits on Tuesday – 14 days ranked in the high range in February. The early start has been attributed to warm temperatures experienced in the state this winter. (WSB Atlanta)

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Featured events:

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• Advancing Neuroscience and Health Equity (March 23)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! See you soon for another update.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.