Updates: The names of the four people killed in today’s school shooting in Winder have been identified. The two students have been identified as 14-year-olda Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo. The teachers were identified as Richard Aspenwall and Christina Irimie.
According to GBI Director Chris Hosey, the shooter is 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at the school. He has been charged with murder and will be charged and handled as an adult. Police say Colt surrendered to officers immediately after he was encountered by police.
The weapon used was an AR platform style weapon. Law enforcement officials say they are still investigating how Gray got the weapon into the school and where he acquired the weapon.
A parent at the school told CNN that her child, who is in in Gray’s class, said Gray had a habit of checking out of the classroom without taking the hall pass and then returning, which is what he allegedly did today.
Two students and two teachers were killed.
In May 2023, the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location and time. The online threats contained photographs of guns. Within 24 hours, the FBI determined the online post originated in Georgia and the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office referred the information to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for action.
The Jackson County Sheriffs’ Office located a possible subject, a 13-year-old male, and interviewed him and his father. That 13-year-old was Colt Gray. The father stated he had hunting guns in the house, but the child did not have unsupervised access to them. The child denied making the threats online. Jackson County alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the subject.
At that time, there was no probable cause for arrest or to take any additional law enforcement action on the local, state, or federal levels.
Reports are emerging that there was a phone threat this morning claiming that there would be shootings at five schools in Metro Atlanta today and that Apalachee would be first.
“I never imagined that I would be speaking to the media in my career over something that happened today — the pure evil that happened today,” Sheriff Jud Smith said. “I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clear and known. Love will prevail over what happened today — I assure you that.”
The shooter was interviewed and was speaking with investigators earlier today, Sheriff Smith said. He also said he was not aware of a connection between the shooter and the students.
Schools in Barrow County will be closed for the remainder of this week.
According to GBI Director Chris Hosey, there is no evidence of a list of schools being targeted.
This is the 45th school shooting in the United States this year.
Original Article: A shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder late Tuesday morning, sending shockwaves through the small Barrow County community. The shooting was reported at approximately 10:23 a.m. at the school located at 940 Haymon Morris Road, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement and emergency medical teams.
The Details: A suspect was apprehended by authorities shortly after the shooting, though details about the individual’s identity have not yet been released. There are reports of deaths. So far four people have been reported dead and nine people reported injured.
One gunshot victim has been taken to Grady Memorial Hospital.
First responders from multiple agencies arrived at the scene soon after the initial 911 call, moving swiftly to secure the school and ensure the safety of students and staff.
Homeland Security has briefed the Biden administration on the shooting.
What’s Next?: As of this writing, police are still on the scene, and families of students are anxiously awaiting further details. The lockdown has been lifted and parents are being allowed to pick up their children.
Local authorities are expected to provide more updates as the situation develops, including specifics on the number of deaths and any potential motives behind the attack.
Sheriff Jud Smith, who is leading the investigation, said more information would be shared as soon as possible.
TikTok Rumors: The Sheriff’s Office would like parents and students to be aware that despite rumors being spread on TikTok, there is only one school shooting at Apalachee High School and no other schools have had any incidents today.