CAMPUS CARNAGE
Apalachee High School shooting leaves four dead and multiple injured in Georgia as cops catch suspect
Horrifying aerial images showed students huddled together on the football field
FOUR people have been killed following a shooting at a high school that saw dozens of police agencies swarm the campus.
Suspect Colt Gray, 14, allegedly at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, , about 29 miles west of Athens, leaving nine others injured.
10
10
10
10
What we know so far...
- Four people are dead, and nine others were injured, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations confirmed.
- Mason Schermerhorn, 14, Christian Angulo, 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie were identified as those killed.
- 14-year-old student Colt Gray was named as the suspected shooter.
- Gray was reportedly interviewed by the FBI a year before after authorities received online threats of a possible school shooting.
- Students gathered on the football field after the attack.
- and have been briefed.
- Devastating texts revealed student's fear.
The Apalachee High School student was named as the suspected gunman and will be charged with the alleged murders and tried as an adult.
Police later identified students Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and Christian Angulo, 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie as those who were killed.
Police said Gray "immediately surrendered" and was taken into custody.
Officials have not revealed his motive.
Barrow County Sherriff Jud Smith called the shooting an "evil thing," adding the scene is considered an active investigation.
Schools will be closed for the rest of the week.
Most read in The US Sun
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Barrow County Police Department for an update.
GUT-WRENCHING TEXTS
Erin Clark shared a series of text changes with her son, who is a student at Apalachee High School.
The terrified mother told The U.S. Sun her son, Ethan, heard about eight to nine gunshots.
"School shooting rn," Ethan texted his mom at 10:23 am, adding that he was "scared" and "not joking."
Clark responded to her son that she was "leaving work."
"I love you," Ethan said.
Clark replied she loved him too and asked where he was.
"Class," the teen replied, adding, "Someone's dead."
One of the injured victims was identified as David Phenix.
Phenix was shot in the foot and hip, which shattered his hip bone, his daughter Katie Phenix shared on .
"We are so thankful for all the texts, calls, and messages about my dad, David Phenix," Katie wrote.
"There was a shooting this morning at Apalachee High School and my dad was shot in the foot and in the hip, shattering his hip bone.
"He arrived to the hospital alert and awake. He just got out of surgery and is stable."
10
10
CHAOTIC SCENE
Heavily armed cops and SWAT vehicles surrounded the school on Wednesday morning after students were evacuated and seen rushing into their parents' arms.
At least two people were seen being loaded onto a stretcher outside and flown to the hospital.
Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta confirmed to The U.S. Sun that it received one victim with a gunshot wound.
Dozens of cops from different agencies drove their cars onto the school lawn.
There were also at least a dozen ambulances and firetrucks.
Students and staff flooded the bleachers of the football stadium as the school was evacuated at 11:33 am local time.
10
People were seen locking arms in a circle on the field once they were safe.
A helicopter flew around the school as students stood in the stadium.
Large armed groups of cops stood on the lawn while others started to approach the school.
Buses were available for students who need transportation home.
Other campuses of Barrow County Schools went into a "soft lockdown" during the shooting, per NBC.
Apalachee High School
Apalachee High School is in Barrow County — 58 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia.
The school has about 1,900 students and is one of two high schools in the school district.
Students returned from summer break on August 1.
'PRAYING FOR SAFTEY'
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp released a statement about the shooting on X.
"I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state," he .
"We will continue to work with local, state, and federal partners as we gather information and further respond to this situation."
Senior Deputy Press Secretary, Emilie Simons, said President Joe Biden was alerted about the shooting.
"His administration will continue coordinating with federal, state, and local officials as we receive more information," she .
President Joe Biden said that back-to-school season should be "joyous."
"Students across the country are learning how to duck and cover instead of how to read and write," Biden said in his statement.
"We cannot continue to accept this as normal."
Kamala Harris addressed the shooting at her rally on Wednesday.
"It does not have to be this way," she said.
Donald Trump also posted about the shooting to his Truth Social account.
"Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those affected by the tragic event in Winder, GA," he .
"These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster."
Attorney General Merrick Garland said he was "devastated for the families affected by this terrible tragedy."
Congressman Mike Collin posted that he "prayed" for the victims, their families, and all the students at Appalachee High School.
"We extend our gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action to secure the school and get the shooter in custody. I have spoken with Sheriff Smith and told him my team and I are available to assist in any way necessary. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as prudent," he .
He later , "Very sad to confirm there have been four fatalities from the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, GA."
"Many others wounded, but not all gun-related or life-threatening injuries, some from efforts to flee danger. The suspect is in custody."
RESURFACING VIDEO
Following the shooting, critics raced to Collin's from 2022 that showed him holding a large gun while he gave Biden election advice.
Collins represents Georgia's 10th Congressional District, which Apalachee High School falls under.
At the end of the video, he said, "Fight for Trump, get to the bottom of 2020 and fix our elections. Well if they won't do it, Mike Collins will."
He then shot a trashcan labeled "cast ballot" and "voting machine" causing it to explode.
A user commented under his 2022 post after the shooting , "Hope you’re proud of yourself today. You should be ashamed."
Read More on The Sun
Apalachee High School has about 1,900 students and is one of two high schools in the Barrow County school district.
It has been just over a month since students in the district returned from summer break.
10
10
10
Topics