I’d like to extend my prayers and deepest sympathy to the families of those who have lost a loved one, as well as to the innocent lives that have been destroyed and broken by this terrible act of violence.

Additionally, I want to personally thank the police officers, EMS, and all first responders who rushed to stop the attacker and assist the victims. Their swift and courageous actions undoubtedly saved lives, and we are grateful for their dedication and bravery in such a critical moment.

Overview:

1. Apalachee High School (AHS) is located in Winder, Georgia.
2. Winder is approximately 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia.
3. The school is named after the Apalachee River on the southern edge of Barrow County.
4. It was founded in 2000 for grades 9-12 and has approximately 1,910 students.
5. Two SRO’s are assigned to the school.
6. School started a little over a month ago.
7. The supsect is a 14-year-old male student of AHS named Colt Gray.

What we know/Timeline:
Prior to the attack:

1. In May 2023, the FBI received “anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting.”
2. The online threats did not detail a place and time but included photographs of guns.
3. The FBI Atlanta Field Office referred the information to Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).
4. JCSO interviewed Colt Gray who was 13-years old at the time along with his father.
5. Colt Gray denied making the threats and his father stated that he had hunting guns but that his son did not have unsupervised access to them.
6. JCSO alerted local school administrators “for continued monitoring of the subject.”
7. At this time it is unknown or unreported if a student safety assessment was initiated or what actions were taken to intervene and manage Gray.
8. It is also unknown or unreported if Gray had any disciplinary, threatening behavior, or emotional concerns or issues prior to the attack.

The day of the attack:

1. On September 4, 2024, AHS received a phone call warning that five schools would be attacked that day and that AHS would be the first.
2. The identity of caller, school actions, and police response is unknown or unreported.
3. A student named Lyela Sayarath stated that Colt Gray left their classroom at the beginning of their Algebra 1 class at approximately 9:45.
4. Near the end of the class, Sayarath stated that Gray returned and knocked on the door to get back in. Another student went to open the door, but Sayarath said they noticed a gun so they didn’t open the door.
5. Gray went to the next classroom and started shooting.
6. The attack took place in the 10 grade area and started at approximately 10:19am.
7. Gray used an AR-15 style rifle.
8. The exact type, how it was obtained, and how it was carried into the school is unknown or unreported.
9. Gray murdered 2 teachers and 2 students.
Christian Angulo (14)
Mason Schermerhorn (14)
Richard Aspinwall (39)
Christina Irimie (53)

10. Gray also injured at least 9 others (8 students and 1 teacher).
11. The first call to law enforcement was received at 10:20am.
12. Radio traffic from the SRO’s confirmed an attack was taking place at AHS.
13. Within minutes of the attack starting, the murderer was confronted by an SRO and Gray surrendered.
14. Sheriff Smith said, “He gave up, got on the ground, and was taken into custody.”

After the attack:
What is known as of September 5, 2024.

1. There’s no evidence of additional accomplices.
2. There is no evidence that other schools were targeted.
3. The connections, if any, between victims and murderer is unknow at this time.
4. A potential motive has not been named, but the investigation is ongoing and Sheriff Smith warns that it could take “multiple days” to get answers.
5. One law enforcement official stated, “However, there is a lot of evidence that is being recovered and evaluated.”
6. It has been reported that, “Gray is talking and it’s helping our investigation.”
7. Gray will be charged with murder and tried as an adult.
8. School closed for the rest of the week.
9. FBI Atlanta and JCSO issued a joint statement that in May 2023 they had no probable cause to arrest or the legal right to take any further action against Gray at that time.

Conclusion:

No one was “killed” at Apalachee High School. They were murdered. To protect themselves from liability the media will say, “killed” but that does not do justice to those who lost their lives or the families who lost their loved one.

They were not killed but murdered and there is no act more heinous than murder.

Those poor people and their families were viciously, violently, and permanently robbed of their most precious gifts by someone who had absolutely no right or justification to do it. The act of murder is so unjust that you can feel like a victim even though you were not there, don’t know the victims personally, or live on the opposite side of the world.

Therefore, when it comes to school attacks it is normal for you or your staff to be sad, anxious, and worried. Especially those who have school aged children or they themselves have experienced trauma and violence in the past.

If you can, try to be available, visible, and kind. You don’t have to be everything for everyone, just show them that they are not alone and that someone cares and trust me, that will be enough. It will be enough and you will be enough.

If you can, renew your commitment to preventing violence today. We don’t do school safety because we’re mandated or it’s a part of our job. We do it to save lives—to prevent murder so that no one has to suffer the insufferable again.

The stakes are so high because the price is so high.

If you have any questions or concerns or would just like to talk, please feel free to Call or text (540-577-7200). I'm happy to help or just listen.