Four Dead and Nine Hospitalized After 14-Year-Old Student Opens Fire at Georgia High School!
Four people were killed, and nine others were hospitalized following a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning. Authorities have confirmed that the victims include two students and two teachers.
The suspected shooter, identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at the school, was taken into custody alive and will be charged with murder as an adult.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director, Chris Hosey, stated in a news conference that Gray is currently being held at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center.
The victims who lost their lives were identified as Mason Schermerhorn, 14, Christian Angulo, 14, and two math teachers, Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith mentioned that all nine hospitalized victims had been shot, but their injuries were not life-threatening, and they are expected to survive.
When confronted, the suspect surrendered to responding law enforcement officers and is cooperating with authorities in the investigation. Sheriff Smith confirmed that Gray was held at the Barrow County Detention Center.
The shooter used an AR platform-style gun, and no evidence suggests the involvement of other shooters. Authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, including Gray’s arrival at the school and the timing of the incident.
FBI Atlanta noted that they had previously interviewed Gray last year about online threats to commit a school shooting. At the time, Gray denied responsibility, and no further actions were taken by law enforcement.
Multiple victims were transported to local hospitals, including Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Barrow, Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, and Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta. In addition to gunshot injuries, several individuals experienced anxiety and panic attacks during the incident.
The school went into lockdown immediately after reports of an active shooter surfaced online. Law enforcement quickly responded, arriving on the scene at around 10:23 a.m. EDT. The premises were cleared within an hour, and students were released to their families.
Sheriff Smith highlighted the effectiveness of a recently installed security system, which alerted authorities to the threat. Three school resource officers were present on campus at the time of the shooting.
A 14-year-old student, Marques Coleman, who witnessed the shooting, described the chaotic scene inside his classroom. Coleman recounted seeing Gray with a gun and running for cover as shots were fired. He expressed gratitude for his safety, stating that he felt protected despite the close call.
The FBI and other law enforcement agencies were actively involved in the response and investigation. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp assured that state resources were being directed to support the incident response. In a public statement, Governor Kemp asked for prayers for those affected and reiterated the state’s commitment to working with local, state, and federal partners.
The White House also acknowledged the shooting, with President Biden being briefed on the situation. The administration promised continued coordination with officials at all levels to address the aftermath of the tragic event.
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Apalachee High School, which serves approximately 1,900 students, will remain closed for the rest of the week. The community remains in shock as authorities work to understand the motive behind this devastating act of violence.