Tragedy Strikes Apalachee High School: Two Students and Two Teachers Killed in Fatal Shooting

WINDER, GA — A deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, claimed the lives of two students and two teachers on Wednesday, sending shockwaves through the community just northeast of Atlanta. The victims have been identified as 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, along with teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, according to Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey.

The shooting occurred around 10:20 a.m., prompting an immediate response from law enforcement and emergency services. Nine others—eight students and one teacher—were injured in the incident and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith confirmed that all the injured are expected to survive.

Authorities have charged 14-year-old Colt Gray in connection with the attack. Gray, who has been charged as an adult, was armed with an assault-style rifle. He was apprehended without incident and is being held at a regional youth detention facility. Investigators say Gray targeted students in a hallway after being denied re-entry into his algebra classroom.

Classmates described the terrifying moments when Gray, a recent transfer student known for his quiet demeanor, attempted to return to the classroom after leaving during the second period. According to classmate Lyela Sayarath, Gray had left the algebra class earlier, and some students thought he was skipping school again. When Gray returned, he tried to get back inside, but when his classmates hesitated to unlock the door, he turned the gun on them in the hallway.

The exact motive for the shooting remains under investigation, as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the attack. The Barrow County community is reeling from the loss, and the high school remains closed as the investigation continues.

This tragic event marks another heartbreaking chapter for the school, as students, teachers, and parents grapple with the impact of such violence. Crisis counselors have been made available to students and staff to help process the trauma of the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as they seek to understand the full scope of what happened.

The community has come together in mourning, with vigils planned to honor the lives lost. The names of Mason Schermerhorn, Christian Angulo, Richard Aspinwall, and Christina Irimie will not be forgotten as Apalachee High School and Winder rally in the wake of this senseless tragedy.