A 14-year-old student opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, killing two students and two teachers and injuring nine other people. The shooting began around 10:20 a.m. local time, sending shockwaves through the small town located about an hour outside of Atlanta.
The suspect, identified as Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School, was quickly apprehended by school resource officers. Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult for his alleged role in the attack.
Law enforcement officials have identified the victims as two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and two math teachers, Christina Irimie, 53, and Richard Aspinwall, 39. Aspinwall was also an assistant football coach at the school. Nine other individuals, including eight students and one teacher, were transported to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
The tragedy happened shortly after the school received a disturbing phone call warning of potential shootings at five schools, with Apalachee High School named as the first target. Law enforcement agencies are investigating this call’s origin and its potential connection to the subsequent attack.
Lyela Sayarath, a student at Apalachee High School, recalled the events leading up to the shooting. She described how the suspected shooter exited their Algebra I classroom early in the period. As the class was nearing its end, the suspect attempted to re-enter by knocking on the door. Another student approached to let him in, but Lyela reported they spotted a firearm and refrained from opening the door. According to Lyela, the shooter then proceeded to an adjacent classroom, where he began shooting.
Within minutes, school resource officers located the armed suspect. When confronted, Gray immediately surrendered his weapon and was taken into custody without resistance. The officers’ quick action likely prevented further casualties and controlled the situation.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as the shooting occurred. Sophomore Shantal Sanvee, who was near the gunshots, said, “I saw a whole lot of blood. I don’t want to be at this school for a long time.”
The weapon used in the attack was identified as an AR-platform-style rifle. Authorities are investigating how the teen obtained the weapon and brought it into the school.
Before the shooting, the FBI had received anonymous tips in May 2023 about online threats to commit a school shooting. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office had interviewed the then 13-year-old Gray at the time, though no probable cause for arrest was found. The sheriff’s office had alerted local schools about monitoring the teen.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith described the incident as “pure evil” and stated that the shooter surrendered when confronted by a school resource officer. “Love will prevail over what happened,” Smith added, addressing the community’s grief.
The Barrow County School System announced that all district schools will remain closed for the remainder of the week. Grief counseling services are available to any student seeking support during this difficult time.
On Wednesday evening, September 4, hundreds of Winder, Georgia, residents gathered at Jug Tavern Park for a vigil honoring the victims. Community members, including students and faculty, assembled in the city center to mourn the four lives lost and support those affected by the tragedy.
Volunteers distributed candles, refreshments, and tissues to attendees. The event featured interfaith elements, with a Methodist minister leading prayers and a Barrow County commissioner reciting a Jewish prayer of mourning. As part of the ceremony, mourners released balloons into the evening sky. The vigil provided a platform for the community to grieve and demonstrate solidarity.