Authorities have identified the four victims killed during a shooting at a Georgia high school on Wednesday morning when a student opened fire. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey confirmed that two 14-year-old students and two teachers were killed in the incident.
The students killed at Apalachee High School were Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. The teachers killed were Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irmie, who taught maths. Schermerhorn, who was autistic, reportedly wandered away from the school after dismissal, according to Channel2Now.
Aspinwall was also a football coach at the school. A student paid tribute on Instagram, describing him as a kind-hearted teacher who always offered help and spoke proudly about his family. Authorities identified Colt Gray, 14, as the shooter. He surrendered to authorities and was taken into custody after the shooting.
#UPDATE : The first victim in Wednesday’s tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia has been identified as special education math teacher David Phenix.#ApalacheeHighSchool #Shooting #ActiveShooter #BarrowCounty #Georgia #winder #ApalacheeHighSchoolShooting… pic.twitter.com/oHz5y2ZKM7
— upuknews (@upuknews1) September 4, 2024
Hosey stated that an AR platform-style weapon was used. The FBI confirmed the shooter, previously referred to as a 13-year-old, is the same individual now in custody for the shootings at Apalachee High School. Investigators are trying to determine if specific individuals were targeted, but no known connections between Gray and the victims have been found.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith reported that law enforcement and school resource officers responded within minutes. Gray will be charged with murder and prosecuted as an adult. Authorities have found no evidence of additional shooters and are following leads related to any potential associates.
The FBI’s Atlanta field office and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the National Threat Operations Center received an anonymous tip in May 2023 about online threats involving guns. The threats were traced back to Georgia, and local authorities were notified.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office interviewed a 13-year-old boy and his father. The father admitted to having hunting guns but stated the boy did not have unsupervised access. The boy denied making the threats, and there was no probable cause for an arrest or further action.
Gray is currently held at the Barrow County Detention Center. There were three school resource officers present who made contact with the shooter, who surrendered immediately. Authorities do not expect any more fatalities, and the remaining victims are expected to recover.
What Other Media Are Saying
- FOX 5 Atlanta reports on the Apalachee High School shooting, detailing the deaths of four people and injuries to nine others, with the suspect in custody and the school on hard lockdown.(read more)
- TMJ4 reports that authorities have identified the four victims in the Georgia high school shooting, which left two students and two teachers dead, and nine others injured.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who were the victims of the Georgia high school shooting?
Two 14-year-old students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irmie.
Who was identified as the shooter in the Georgia high school incident?
Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student, was identified as the shooter.
What type of weapon was used in the Georgia high school shooting?
An AR platform-style weapon was used.
Will the shooter face charges as an adult?
Yes, Colt Gray will be charged with murder and prosecuted as an adult.
Were there any prior warnings about the shooter?
Yes, authorities received an anonymous tip in May 2023 about threats posted online.