Four people were tragically killed during a shooting rampage at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) confirmed the victims include two students and two teachers, with the shooter identified as a 14-year-old student.
The victims were identified as teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. Authorities also revealed that nine others—eight students and one teacher—were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment.
The suspect, Colt Gray, 14, surrendered to officers within minutes of the attack. The GBI announced that Gray would face murder charges and be tried as an adult. The weapon used was described as an AR platform-style rifle, though it remains unclear if the victims were specifically targeted.
Eyewitness Accounts
Students and teachers described the terror they felt during the incident. Sergio Caldera, a 17-year-old senior, was in chemistry class when he heard the gunfire. We heard screams from outside as we huddled up,” he told ABC News, adding that his class later evacuated to the football field.
Another student, Kyson Stancion, recounted hearing gunshots and police shouting to secure the classrooms. “Everybody was crying,” he said, describing the fear that overtook his classmates as the events unfolded.
Community Response
Parents rushed to the school to reunite with their children amid chaotic scenes. Jonathan Mills, a police officer and father of three children enrolled in the Barrow County Schools, described the emotional roller coaster of reaching his son, Jayden, and learning he was safe. “You never think about that,” Mills said, expressing disbelief over the tragic events.
National and Local Leaders Respond
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressed their grief in the wake of the shooting. In a statement, Biden lamented the continued plague of gun violence, saying, “We cannot continue to accept this as normal.” He urged Congress to pass common-sense gun safety legislation, including a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Governor Brian Kemp expressed his heartbreak over the shooting and offered resources to the community. He canceled a planned speech in Las Vegas to return to Georgia and provide support.
As the investigation continues, Barrow County Schools will remain closed through the end of the week, and additional patrols will be deployed to schools throughout the region to ensure safety.
This latest shooting marks Georgia’s 16th mass shooting in 2024, part of a devastating pattern of gun violence affecting communities nationwide.
