Here’s all you need to know about the victims
Richard Aspinwall
Richard Aspinwall, 39, was a beloved math teacher and also served as the assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the school’s football team.Friends and colleagues remember Aspinwall as a dedicated educator and coach who died heroically while trying to protect his students.
A fundraising page set up for his family highlights the profound impact Aspinwall had on those around him. “It’s just so hard to think that somebody that you spent so much time with…like family basically,” said sophomore Isaiah Hooks.
Christina Irimie
Christina Irimie, 53, was a cherished member of the Apalachee High staff. Her loss is deeply felt by the community, as she was known for her dedication to her students and her nurturing presence in the classroom.
Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo
Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo were both 14 years old and full of promise. Angulo was remembered as a “very good kid” who was “very sweet and so caring,” according to his oldest sister, who set up a GoFundMe page for his family. “His loss was so sudden and unexpected,” she wrote. Angulo’s friend Abner Sanchez expressed disbelief at the news, saying, “I was in denial because you would never believe somebody that you knew would pass away just like that.”
Injured and ongoing investigation
In addition to the fatalities, nine others were injured in the attack. Eight students and one teacher, identified as David Phenix, were taken to hospitals, all expected to recover. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed that the wounded are stable and expected to survive.
The suspect, Colt Gray, was arrested shortly after the shooting. He is expected to face adult charges for his alleged actions. Authorities are still searching for a motive behind the shooting and reviewing extensive evidence.
Was Apalachee high school warned before mass shooting?
Reports earlier this week suggested that Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, had been warned about a potential shooting before a tragic incident at the school. However, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Director Chris Hosey has confirmed that these reports were inaccurate. In a press briefing, Hosey clarified that Apalachee High School did not receive a warning call about a shooting threat.
Hosey explained that while a different school in Georgia did receive a call about a potential shooting, this threat turned out to be unfounded. The confusion arose from a report by CNN, which cited law enforcement sources claiming that a warning call had been made about five shootings in the area. This call came just hours before 14-year-old Colt Gray allegedly opened fire at Apalachee High School, killing four and injuring at least nine others.
Community response
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has extended his support to the affected families and the community, saying, “We will provide every state resource that is needed…to support this community and support this team behind me.” The FBI had previously investigated Gray in 2023 following anonymous tips about online threats, but no sufficient grounds were found for an arrest at the time.