Apalachee High School shooting victims identified, student suspect was flagged to FBI last year
The four victims who were killed Wednesday in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, have been identified as it has emerged that the suspected student gunman was flagged to the FBI last year.
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Georgia school shooting: 5 key questions investigators are asking about accused teen killer
A law enforcement expert discussed what Georgia agencies are lasered in on as they continue to investigate the tragic Apalachee High School shooting.
Matthew Fagiana, a retired police sergeant and law enforcement consultant, told Fox News Digital that Georgia's top law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate Colt Gray's motivation while simultaneously working on ways to prevent future mass shootings in the community.
The suspected shooter, 14-year-old Gray, opened fire at the high school, killing 2 teachers and 2 students.
Fagiana said that law enforcement is focused on the 14-year-old's past and if he had any known interactions with the victims. The law enforcement expert also said that investigative units would likely meticulously comb through Gray's home as well as the high school.
"I can only assume that the crime scene at the school is quite large," he said. "Those types of scenes require a very meticulous examination and collection of evidence – things like logging locations of evidence, spent casings."
Fagiana said that investigators are attempting to answer what prompted the suspected shooter to open fire.
"One important piece of the suspect being taken into custody will be the interviews he provides to investigators," he said. "Any time we have someone who commits a mass killing, one of the most important questions we are trying to answer is the 'why.'"
"And because many school shooters either kill themselves, or are killed by law enforcement to prevent further harm to others, we are often left without the ‘why’ and can only develop theories based on their history and any evidence they leave behind," he said.
Read the full article about the shooting suspect by Sarah Rumpf-Whitten.
GA is one of 42 states that allow parents to be held criminally responsible for their kid's actions
Georgia is one of at least 42 states and Washington, D.C., to have laws allowing parents to be held criminally responsible for their children's actions.
This comes as Colin Gray, 54, faces multiple charges over the alleged actions of his son, Colt Gray, 14, who is accused of killing four people and injuring nine others in a shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday. The charges against Colin Gray include four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
Authorities said the elder Gray knowingly allowed his son to possess a weapon.
The parental responsibility laws vary from state to state, with some focusing on parental negligence in preventing a child's access to firearms, while others address broader forms of delinquent behavior, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
Georgia's law allows for parents to face criminal liability if they are found to have contributed to their child's delinquent behavior through neglect or failure to properly supervise.
If a parent in Georgia knowingly allows a child to gain access to firearms or engages in reckless behavior that leads to harm, for example, they can face criminal charges, including involuntary manslaughter or child cruelty.
Georgia Senate committee debates school safety measures after Apalachee High School shooting
The Georgia Senate Safe Firearm Storage Study Committee discussed what measures should be implemented to reduce the chance of another school shooting following Wednesday's shooting at Apalachee High School.
"When it comes to these bills, we are trying to put up safeguards to make it, whether you are a bad actor or have a mental health issue either way, we can make it difficult for you to have a weapon in Georgia," Democrat state Rep. Yasmine Neal said.
Members of the committee pointed out that state lawmakers earmarked additional money for security at schools last year, including money for school resource officers.
The committee is currently considering what can be done to reduce gun violence while still protecting the Second Amendment, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.
"The human mind, we never know what's going to happen one day to the next, but we can control that weapon, we can secure it, and we can lock it up," Democrat state Sen. Emanuel Jones said. "We can hold those who own that weapon responsible for the use of that weapon. There are things that we can do."
GA school shooting: New audio of alleged shooter, dad encounter with police over 2023 online threats
Georgia authorities have released audio from the 2023 visit to the home of the alleged Georgia high school shooter after an anonymous report to the FBI over online threats about "possibly threatening to shoot up a middle school" in a group chat on messaging app Discord surfaced.
Jackson County, Georgia, sheriff's officers spoke face-to-face with the boy who is now charged with felony murder in the deaths of four at Apalachee High School in Winder on Wednesday.
The sheriff's officers described their interactions in a detailed investigation report from May 21, 2023, when suspect Colt Gray was 13 years old, after being tipped off by the FBI about a threat on the messaging app Discord, popular with some video gamers, to shoot up a middle school.
When the police begin questioning Colin Gray, the father shares more about Gray's home life and the accusation, saying this visit is b*****t and a terrorist threat.
"He's going through a lot...very difficult for him to go to school and not get picked on," Colin said.
Colin tells the officer that he and Colt's mom got divorced and that they had been evicted.
"He struggled at first with the separation. I've been taking him to school. He goes to Jefferson Middle school. He's been doing really good," Colin explained.
The officer acknowledges the severity of the visit and Colin agrees and says that Colt "knows how serious it is, trust me."
Read the full article about the shooting suspect by Stepheny Price.
Authorities release mugshot of father of alleged teen shooter
Georgia authorities released a mugshot of the father of the teen who allegedly killed four people at a high school.
Colin Gray, 54, faces multiple charges over the alleged actions of his son, Colt Gray, 14, including four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
On Thursday, authorities said the elder Gray knowingly allowed his son to possess a weapon.
He is being held at the Barrow County jail.
Charges against father of alleged school shooter a new approach to curbing similar incidents: lawyer
The charges against the father of the suspected shooter accused of killing four people at a Georgia high is an example of a new approach by authorities to curb similar incidents, a legal expert told Fox News Digital.
Colin Gray, 54, has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children. On Thursday, authorities said the charges are connected to the possession of a weapon by Gray's son, Colt Gray, who allegedly killed two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School and wounded nine others.
“This was done by authorities in Michigan who successfully prosecuted the parents of a teen who killed four students using a firearm his parents purchased for him,” said David Gelman, a criminal defense attorney and former deputy district attorney.
Jennifer and James Crumbley were convicted in April of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced 10 years in prison after prosecutors said they kept an unsecured gun at home and showed indifference toward their son's mental health. Ethan Crumbley killed four students at a high school in 2021.
Colin Gray's case is different because he also faces murder charges, said Gelman.
“The charge of murder may be challenging to prove as this charge contemplates malice aforethought, as opposed to involuntary manslaughter which does not require a specific intention to cause death,” he said.
Charges against father of alleged shooter ‘directly’ connected to allowing son access to weapon
The charges against the father of a Georgia teenager accused of killing four people at his high school are “directly” connected to letting the boy possess a weapon, authorities said Thursday.
Chris Hosey, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, said Colin Gray, 54, "knowingly allowed" his son, Colt Gray, 14, to have a weapon.
The elder Gray has been charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
In addition to killing two students and two teachers, Colt Gray wounded nine others – two teachers and seven students, authorities said at a news conference.
Those injured are expected to recover, said Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith.
“A young person brought a gun into a school and committed an evil act and he took lives and he injured many other people — not only physically but mentally,” he said.
Father of high school shooter arrested, charged with murder
The father of the 14-year-old gunman who allegedly killed four people at a Georgia high school has been arrested, authorities said Thursday.
Colin Gray, age 54, father of alleged shooter Coly Gray, was taken into custody and charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of Cruelty to children, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said.
Authorities will hold a new conference at 8 p.m. ET.
Georgia officers interviewed Apalachee High School shooting suspect in 2023, could not substantiate
Jackson County, Georgia, officers in 2023 spoke face-to-face with the boy who is now charged with felony murder in the deaths of four at Apalachee High School in Winder on Wednesday.
The sheriff's officers described their interactions in a detailed investigation report from May 21, 2023, when suspect Colt Gray was 13 years old, after being tipped off by the FBI about a threat on the messaging app Discord of a threat to shoot up a middle school. Discord is popular with some video gamers.
Gray said he had previously deleted a Discord account and denied that he would make such a threat, "even in a joking manner," according to the report.
Gray's father, Colin, told the officers that he had hunting rifles in the house but that his son "does not have unfettered access to them." The two guns were both "locked away," the father told them. Authorities have said the shooting was carried out with an AR-style rifle.
"I urged Colin to keep his firearms locked away, and advised him to keep Colt out of school until this matter could be resolved," investigator Daniel Miller Jr. wrote.
Jackson County investigators could not substantiate the Discord threat, which came from a user profile that spelled Lanza in Russian, according to the report. Adam Lanza perpetrated the Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, in 2012.
The officer also found that the information sent to the FBI was communicated via various IP addresses across the world: Palmdale, California; Los Angeles; and Cockburn, Australia.
He also reviewed the email address and phone number related to the case as well as the user profile linked to the threats.
Read the full article about the shooting suspect by Timothy H.J. Nerozzi.
Mexico says one of the Georgia school victims had Mexican nationality
One of the people who was shot and killed at a Georgia high school Wednesday was a minor of Mexican nationality, officials in that country said Thursday.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that personnel from the Mexican consulate in Atlanta are in contact with relatives of the unarmed victim and with U.S. authorities.
“The consulate maintains contact with the authorities to confirm the health status and nationality of the hospitalized people, and to rule out that there are more Mexican people affected,” the agency said.
“Likewise, the consulate maintains contact with the authorities to confirm the health status and nationality of the hospitalized people, and to rule out the possibility of more Mexican people being affected,” the ministry added.
The ministry didn't name the victim who had Mexican nationality. They were identified by authorities as Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both aged 14 who attended the school; and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39; and 53-year-old Christina Irimie.
Georgia Gov. Kemp praises first responders for actions on day of school shooting
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp praised first responders and others involved in Wednesday's deadly school shooting.
“In the midst of the unthinkable, our everyday heroes are prepared to run into danger to protect others," he wrote on X. "The bravery of law enforcement officers, first responders, and civilian Georgians was on full display yesterday, and I want to commend their swift and selfless actions.”
The alleged shooter who killed four people at Apalachee High School in Winder surrendered to a school resource officer after opening fire, authorities said.
Kemp also ordered flown on state building to be lowered to half-staff honor the victims: Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both aged 14 who attended the school; and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39; and 53-year-old Christina Irimie.
Biden calls for parents who let kids have easy access to firearms to be held accountable
President Biden on Thursday said parents who give their children access to firearms that are not locked up should be held accountable, a day after a gunman killed four people at a Georgia high school.
Biden was in Westby, Wisconsin to tout his economic agenda when he remarked about the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.
The 14-year-old alleged shooter killed two students and two teachers. He is charged with multiple counts of murder.
“Once again, what do we need them for in terms of domestic use?,” Biden said. “There are too many people who are able to access guns that should be able to. So let's require safe storage of firearms.”
“I know I have mine locked up, but how could you have an assault rifle, a weapon in a house not locked up, and knowing your kid knows where it is?” he added. “(We) Got a hold parents accountable if they let their child have access to these guns."
He then called for stronger background checks and ending immunity for gun makers.
“As a nation, we cannot continue to accept the carnage of gun violence," he said. "I’m a gun owner. I believe strongly in the amendment. We need … more than thoughts and prayers.”
Authorities release first mugshots of alleged Georgia high school shooter
The Barrow County Sheriff's Office has released mugshots of the suspected Georgia high school shooter 14-year-old Colt Gray.
Gray, of Winder, surrendered when engaged by School Resource Officers inside the school after opening fire and killing four people and wounding nine others Wednesday morning at Apalachee High School.
"The investigation into yesterday’s shooting at Apalachee High School is continuing," authorities said.
"This is day 2 of a very complex investigation and the integrity of the case is paramount. We ask for the public’s patience as we work to ensure a successful prosecution and justice for the victims," the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said earlier Thursday.
Gray's court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Daughter shares update on dad wounded in Georgia high school shooting: 'Things are lookin' good'
One of the victims of the Georgia high school shooting is recovering following surgery Thursday morning, according to a update from his daughter.
"He was sent off to osteopathic surgery around 8AM today and we just met with the surgeon who worked on his hip + ankle— ALL GOOD NEWS," Katie Phenix, daughter of David Phenix, shared on Facebook.
"He will remain in the ICU for at least another day or two. There’s a pretty long recovery period, but things are lookin’ good," Katie wrote.
David was one of the nine wounded Wednesday morning when alleged shooter14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire inside Apalachee High School. Four people were killed in total including two teachers and two 14-year old students.
"Thank you for all the calls, texts, and messages. Our hearts hurt for our community. Please make sure to share the love with those affected by this crazy incident. Much love," Katie said.
Apalachee High School shooting victim Mason Schermerhorn sent last text to mom, chaplain says
Mason Schermerhorn last texted his mom from the restroom before he was discovered as one of the four killed in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, a chaplain and youth minister who tried to help find the teen said.
Ronald Clark had stopped at a store on his way home Wednesday morning, when he learned of the shooting from his wife via phone call.
He rushed to the scene, and quickly offered his services to law enforcement at the command post. He was instructed to assist crews on the investigative side.
About an hour later, he said he started seeing the students, who were "hurt."
"You want to have the arms big enough to grab everybody, but it's only so much that you can do," he said, calling the situation "challenging."
He described the look on victims' faces as "shock," and said those who provided their testimonies to him in an attempt to cope were "strong."
About 30 minutes later, Clark said he began assisting Schermerhorn's mother, who is his coworker, with trying to find him.
"It was hard, because we were just talking about her kids on Tuesday this week," Clark said. "She was saying that the bond and the connection she has with her kids is unbreakable."
Read the full article about Mason Schermerhorn by Pilar Arias.
Autopsies for shooting victims to be performed
Autopsies of the four victims killed during a rampage by a student at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia will be performed Thursday, authorities said.
The victims who were shot and killed were identified Wednesday as: Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both aged 14 who attended the school; and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39; 53-year-old Christina Irimie.
The alleged shooter , Colt Gray, 14, has been charged with multiple counts of murder and will appear in court Friday morning.
Memorial ceremony being held to honor shooting victims
The community of Winder, Georgia will honor the victims of Wednesday's deadly shooting that killed two students and two teachers at a local high school on Friday.
The event, titled “A Light in the Dark,” will be held at 6 p.m. at Jug Tavern Park.
“This event will pay respect with a memorial service for those who lost their lives and for the families affected,” the city said in a Facebook post.
Grief counselors will be present for those who need support, the post states.
The city also held a vigil at the park hours after Wednesday's shooting.
What is Centegix? The safety solution panic button used to notify police of Georgia school shooter
A gunman opened fire at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, on Wednesday morning and killed four people, including two students and two teachers.
Authorities were first notified of an active incident when Apalachee High School faculty and staff deployed Centegix CrisisAlert ID technology, equipped with an unobtrusive panic button, to alert officials by pressing down on the badge.
"All of our teachers are armed with a form of an ID called Centegix," Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith told reporters during a Wednesday evening press conference.
"Centegix alarms us and alerts the law enforcement office after buttons are pressed on an ID, and it alerts us that there is an active situation at the school for whatever reason."
Centegix, a cloud-based wearable safety technology company, enables rapid notification of emergency situations and response by local law enforcement.
The safety solutions company, "was founded on the idea that technology can create safer, more secure environments. Our safety solution uses market-defining technology that delivers the functionality, connectivity, and accessibility needed to stand up to real-world emergencies," according to the brand's website.
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey said during a press conference Wednesday night, "The protocols at this school and this system activated today prevented this from being a much larger tragedy than what we had here today."
Read the full article about Centegix from Gabriele Regalbuto.
Apalachee High School shooting suspect charged with felony murder ahead of first court appearance
Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray has been charged with multiple counts of felony murder ahead of his first court appearance Friday, officials say.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says "the autopsies of the four victims" who were killed in the Apalachee High School shooting "will be performed today at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office."
"The investigation into the shooting at Apalachee High School is still active and ongoing," it added. "This is day 2 of a very complex investigation and the integrity of the case is paramount. We ask for the public’s patience as we work to ensure a successful prosecution and justice for the victims."
Gray's court appearance is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Apalachee High School football game canceled in wake of shooting
Monroe Area High School, which was set to face off against Apalachee High School in a football game this weekend, announced Thursday that the game has been canceled in the wake of the mass shooting.
“Monroe Area High School stands with Apalachee High School and our thoughts are them with this time,” the school wrote on Facebook.
“The football game versus Apalachee for this week has been canceled,” it added.
The game was supposed to happen at Apalachee High School on Saturday, Sept. 6.
One of the victims who died in Thursday’s shooting has been identified as Ricky Aspinwall, a 39-year-old husband and father of two young daughters.
Aspinwall taught math at Apalachee High School and was the football team’s defensive coordinator.