Source: Jeff Amy/AP
A tragic school shooting took place at Apalachee High School in Georgia on 4 September 2024, where two students and two teachers lost their lives, and nine others were severely injured and rushed to the hospital. It’s the deadliest of the 45 school shootings in the USA this year.
Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, were the two teachers killed in the incident, officials said at a Wednesday night news briefing. Students Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and Christian Angulo, also 14, were also killed, officials confirmed.
Source: Family Photo/GoFundMe/CNN
Another nine victims — eight students and one teacher — were taken to hospitals with injuries following the shooting, the GBI said earlier in the day.
The suspect — 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at Apalachee High School — was encountered by officers within minutes, and he immediately surrendered and was taken into custody, the GBI said. He will be charged with murder and he will be tried as an adult, the GBI said. Gray was set to be booked on Wednesday night, according to an official.
Chris Hosey, the director of the GBI, said at Wednesday night’s briefing that an AR-platform-style weapon was used in the incident.
Emergency responders were alerted to the shooting due to teachers having a form of identification that had a type of panic button on it, a law enforcement member said at the news briefing. He added that they had only had those kinds of IDs for “about a week.”
Colt Gray, 14-year-old suspect of Georgia school shooting
The suspect, 14-year-old Colt Gray, is believed to have opened fire during a school event. Gray, a freshman at the high school, was quickly taken into custody after the incident. The young shooter reportedly had a troubled history, with multiple complaints filed against him for bullying other students. Despite these reports, the authorities previously decided not to pursue formal charges, releasing Gray with warnings. People are now questioning if the shooting could have been stopped if his earlier behavior had been taken more seriously.
Colt Gray’s previous bullying Cases
Gray was known for past bullying cases, with concerns raised by parents and students who saw him as troubled and isolated. Reports show that school officials and local police were contacted about his behavior, but no major actions were taken after initial checks. The choice to release Gray without formal charges is now being reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation into the shooting.
Leaders React to Apalachee High School shooting
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were updated on the school shooting. Biden said, “Jill and I are deeply saddened by this senseless violence. Students are learning to hide instead of focusing on education. We must act to end this.”
Harris added, “Our hearts are with the students and families. We need to stop this gun violence and pass laws like a ban on assault weapons and background checks.”
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp expressed his sorrow, saying, “This is a parent’s worst fear. We will provide support and resources to the community.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced that police will increase patrols around schools for safety.
We remember their lives and send our deepest condolences to their families and friends during this tough time. We also hope that the nine injured people recover quickly.
Also Read: Mia Perry: Meet Late American Actor Matthew Perry’s Sister
Manoj Ghimire is a skillful content writer with more than two years of experience in this field, who can cover the celebrity news and lifestyle.
For contact email: [email protected]
