A 14-year-old boy is set to face murder charges following a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals and left nine others injured. The incident occurred on Wednesday, leading to the loss of two students and two teachers within the school, which serves approximately 1,900 students.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation reported that Colt Gray, a student at the high school, was apprehended by officers on campus and will be tried as an adult. Local law enforcement condemned the incident, with Sheriff Jud Smith characterizing the attack as “pure evil.”
Witnesses reported hearing gunfire around 10:20 AM local time. Within moments, law enforcement and school resource officers were on the scene, where they quickly apprehended the shooter who surrendered peacefully. Authorities have yet to disclose the type of weapon used or the total number of rounds fired during the incident.
Among the victims was 14-year-old Mason Schermerhorn, who was confirmed deceased by family members following a search for him after the shooting. One of the injured, teacher David Phenix, underwent surgery for gunshot wounds and is currently in stable condition.
As investigations continue, law enforcement has indicated that the motive behind the shooting remains unknown, with no specific targets identified at this time. Sheriff Smith acknowledged the lengthy process ahead to uncover the facts surrounding the incident.
Students were evacuated to a nearby location and later reunited with their families as police secured the area. Eyewitness accounts reveal chaos during the attack, with students recounting a mix of fear and confusion as the situation unfolded.
Terrified students described their experiences, with one remarking on the overwhelming fear as the shooting began. Concerns about school safety were echoed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, who expressed prayers for the affected individuals and pledged state resources to support the response.
This heartbreaking event has drawn national attention, prompting discussions about school safety and gun violence in the United States as leading political figures reflect on the tragedy.
