On Sept. 4, Apalachee High School student Colt Gray fatally shot four members of the school community.
According to CNN, around 9:45 a.m., Gray was observed leaving the classroom. Students say he returned near the end of class, open firing on a nearby classroom. Georgia law enforcement was notified at 10:20 a.m. Following the sound of gunshots, Apalachee High School went into lockdown and surrounding schools took equivalent security measures closing off campuses. The shooter was soon apprehended by officers. CNN reports that Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith “confronted the shooter, who immediately surrendered to the deputy and was taken into custody.”
14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo were victims of the shooting. Math teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie were also killed. Eight other students and one teacher were hospitalized, but all are expected to survive.
According to CNN, more than 1,200 students were in lockdown through the afternoon, and local families and parents supplied food and drinks for the students.
The morning of the shooting, the school received a threatening phone call saying there would be shootings at five schools, and that Apalachee would be the first in the district. This was not the first time Gray threatened a shooting. In 2023, he had been brought in and questioned by police regarding several anonymous tips about his plans that had been posted on online forums. However, local law enforcement could not make an arrest because they could not prove the authenticity of the posts.
An investigation into the identified shooter is ongoing. Officials say he will be tried as an adult. Law enforcement has identified the weapon as an “AR-15-style-rifle,” which the New York Times explains was a Christmas gift from his father.
The suspect’s father is under investigation and has been charged in association with the shooting. He faces two counts of secondary murder, four counts of involuntary manslaughter and eight counts of cruelty towards children. The student’s mother, Marcee Gray, claims to have not known of her son’s intent or the fact that her son possessed a gun. She received a text that morning that said “I’m sorry.” Knowing of her son’s mental health struggles, she immediately contacted the school.
Many of Gray’s relatives claimed they do not blame him for the shooting, instead pointing to the environment he had been raised in. His family had been evicted from their home and his parents had recently divorced. According to ABC News, Gray’s mother was previously convicted of possessing various drugs, including fentanyl and muscle relaxants, although she was not charged. A month later, she was charged with criminal trespass and family violence. Gray’s father also reported that his son had been bullied by some of his peers.
Families and friends of the victims have been in mourning since the shooting. Memorials have been set up around the school and town to honor the students and teachers killed, and members of the community have gathered to pay their respects and bring flowers.
Irme was a native Romanian, who started her teaching career just outside of her hometown. She was known as a devoted wife and a kind and caring teacher, and had brought in baked goods for students on the day of the shooting.
Aspinwall, a football coach and teacher, was beloved by his students and players. He was 39 years old and had two daughters. His family said he loved his daughters and was a devoted dad.
Schermerhorn was described by family and friends as a funny kid who enjoyed reading and video games. Angulo was adored by his family, and older sister Lisette Angulo described that, “[h]e was a very good kid and very sweet and so caring.” All four families of the victims have GoFundMe campaigns set up to help support them.
As the school year continues, Sidwell Friends administrators would like to remind the student body that Upper School Counselors Patrice Copeland and Richard Griffith are always accessible to talk to. Upper School Principal Robber Gross stated that it is important to keep in mind the safety precautions students learned at the beginning of the month collection. Gross asked that we “hold the victims of [Wednesday’s] shooting and of all violence in the Light.”
