Education
Tragic School Shooting at Apalachee High School
A 14-year-old student has been identified as the alleged gunman responsible for the fatal shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. The incident has resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two students and two teachers.
The suspected shooter, Colt Gray, has been taken into custody and will face multiple charges, including murder. According to Chris Hosey, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Gray will be tried as an adult.
Among the deceased are two 14-year-old male students, Mason Schermerhorn and Kristen Angolo, as well as teachers Christina Emery and Richard Aspinwall. The details surrounding the motive for the shooting remain unclear, as law enforcement authorities continue their investigation.
Reports indicate that prior to the shooting, Gray had come to the attention of the FBI following claims of online threats related to a school shooting made in May 2023. While investigators interviewed him and his family at that time, no probable cause was established for any legal action.
On the day of the shooting, authorities received a threatening phone call warning of potential shootings at multiple schools, with Apalachee High School being identified as the first target. These threats are under investigation.
The shooting occurred shortly after 10:20 AM when Gray entered the school and began firing. Law enforcement responded promptly to the scene, and a school resource officer engaged with Gray, leading to his surrender without further violence.
The investigation is ongoing, with officials working to determine how Gray gained access to the firearm used in the attack, as individuals under 18 are prohibited from purchasing firearms according to state and federal laws. Reports from Gray’s father indicated that while hunting guns were present in the household, the child did not have unsupervised access to them.
As a result of the tragedy, Barrow County schools will be closed for the rest of the week, although school system offices will remain open to assist affected individuals.
