Apalachee High School Shooting Today: What Happened and What’s Next

The Apalachee High School shooting today is a heartbreaking topic that has touched many lives. On September 4, 2024, a terrible event happened at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. A 14-year-old student named Colt Gray brought a gun to school and opened fire, killing four people—two students and two teachers—and injuring nine others. This tragedy has left the community in shock, and people across the country are talking about it. In this blog post, we’ll explain what happened, who was affected, and what steps are being taken to make schools safer. We’ll also look at how this event has changed the lives of students, teachers, and families.

This article is written in simple words so everyone, even an eleven-year-old, can understand it. Let’s dive in and learn more about this sad event, why it happened, and what’s being done to help.

What Happened During the Apalachee High School Shooting Today?

On the morning of September 4, 2024, Apalachee High School was a busy place, like any other school day. Students were in class, and teachers were helping them learn. But around 10:23 a.m., everything changed. A student named Colt Gray, who was only 14 years old, started shooting inside the school. He used an AR-15-style rifle, which is a type of gun. The police quickly arrived and took Colt into custody, meaning they arrested him. Sadly, the shooting left four people dead and nine others hurt.

The police and school resource officers, like Chase Boyd and Brandon King, ran toward the danger to stop the shooter. They said the hallway was filled with dust and smoke, making it hard to see. Because of their quick actions, the shooter was stopped before he could hurt more people. However, the damage was already done, and the community was left to deal with the pain of losing loved ones.

Who Were the Victims of the Apalachee High School Shooting?

The Apalachee High School shooting today took the lives of four amazing people. Two were students, and two were teachers. Their names were:

Mason Schermerhorn, a 14-year-old student in his first year of high school.

Christian Angulo, also 14, another freshman who loved learning.

Richard Aspinwall, a 39-year-old teacher and football coach who cared deeply about his students.

Cristina Irimie, a 53-year-old teacher known for her kindness and dedication.

These people were loved by their families, friends, and the school community. After the shooting, many gathered to honor them. For example, some family members wore hoodies with Christian Angulo’s picture to remember him during a court hearing. A memorial was also set up outside the school with posters and photos of the victims, showing how much they meant to everyone.

Why Did the Apalachee High School Shooting Happen?

Nobody knows exactly why Colt Gray decided to do something so terrible. However, some clues have come up. Investigators found a notebook in Colt’s home with drawings and a checklist that matched the events of the shooting. They also found what they called a “shrine” behind his computer desk, with photos and news articles about other school shootings. This suggests he was thinking about violence for a while.

Moreover, Colt had been on the FBI’s radar since May 2023. Back then, someone reported that he might have made online threats about a school shooting. The police talked to Colt and his dad, Colin Gray, but Colt denied making the threats. Sadly, nothing more was done at the time. Additionally, Colt’s dad gave him the AR-15 rifle used in the shooting as a Christmas gift in 2023, just seven months after that police visit. This has raised big questions about how Colt got the gun and why no one stopped him sooner.

How Has the Apalachee High School Shooting Affected the Community?

The Apalachee High School shooting todayhas left a big mark on the Winder community. For instance, students and parents are scared and sad. Many students, especially freshmen who are the same age as Colt and the victims, worry about their safety. Some have even looked for places to hide in case another shooting happens. Parents are nervous, too, especially after another 14-year-old student was arrested in January 2025 for bringing a gun to the school. Thankfully, that student didn’t hurt anyone, but it reminded everyone of the September tragedy.

Teachers are also struggling. At least seven teachers and staff members have left Apalachee High School since the shooting. For example, the head football coach, Mike Hancock, stepped down because he was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, grief, and depression. He lost his friend and fellow coach, Richard Aspinwall, in the shooting. The school’s football team even canceled games and had a tough season, showing how hard this has been for everyone.

The community has come together to support each other. For example, people made a prayer circle outside the school the day after the shooting. They also held a candlelight vigil to pray for the victims. These actions show how much the community cares and wants to heal.

What’s Being Done to Prevent Another Apalachee High School Shooting?

After the Apalachee High School shooting today, leaders in Georgia are working hard to make schools safer. For instance, Governor Brian Kemp signed a new law called House Bill 268 on April 28, 2025. This law helps schools and police work together better. It makes sure police tell schools if a student makes a threat, so they can watch that student closely. The law was created because many believe the school didn’t know enough about Colt Gray’s warning signs, like his earlier threats in 2023.

Additionally, some lawmakers wanted to create a database to track students who might be dangerous. However, they decided against it because it could invade privacy. Instead, they’re focusing on better communication between schools, police, and other agencies. This way, if a student shows signs of trouble, like Colt did when he had a panic attack at school, people can step in to help sooner.

The Barrow County School System is also taking action. After the January 2025 incident with the student who brought a gun, the school board met to talk about safety improvements. They’re looking at things like better security systems and more school resource officers to keep students safe.

The Role of Colt Gray’s Father in the Apalachee High School Shooting

Colt’s father, Colin Gray, is also facing serious consequences. He has been charged with 29 crimes, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say he knew Colt was interested in school shooters but didn’t stop him. For example, Colin gave Colt the rifle used in the shooting and even bought him extra ammunition and a larger magazine. This is the first time in Georgia’s history that a parent has been charged in connection with a school shooting.

Colin pleaded not guilty and was granted a $500,000 bond in February 2025. However, his trial won’t happen in Barrow County because the case is so well-known there. Instead, jurors from another county will hear the case to make sure it’s fair. This shows how serious the situation is and how the community is seeking justice.

How Are Students and Families Coping After the Apalachee High School Shooting?

The Apalachee High School shooting today has made life hard for students and families. For example, many students feel scared to go to school. Some have practiced hiding in case another shooting happens. Parents are worried about their kids’ safety, especially after hearing about the January 2025 incident. To help, the school has brought in counselors to talk to students and help them feel better.

Families of the victims are also hurting. For instance, the family of Christian Angulo has been at court hearings, wearing hoodies with his picture to honor him. The community has set up memorials with flowers, photos, and posters to remember the victims. These memorials help people feel connected and show love for those who were lost.

What Can We Learn From the Apalachee High School Shooting Today?

This tragedy teaches us a few important lessons. First, we need to pay attention to warning signs. Colt Gray showed signs of trouble, like his online threats and anxiety, but not enough was done to help him. Second, we need to make sure guns don’t get into the wrong hands. Colt’s dad gave him a gun, which led to this terrible event. Finally, schools and communities need to work together to keep everyone safe. By talking to each other and taking action, we can prevent future tragedies.

Moreover, this event shows how important it is to support each other. The Winder community has come together to pray, heal, and make changes. For example, the new safety law and school board meetings show that people want to make a difference. By learning from this, we can help keep schools safe for everyone.

FAQs About the Apalachee High School Shooting Today

What happened during the Apalachee High School shooting today?

On September 4, 2024, a 14-year-old student named Colt Gray shot and killed four people—two students and two teachers—at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. Nine others were injured.

Who were the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting?

The victims were students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53.

Why did Colt Gray do this?

We don’t know the exact reason, but investigators found a notebook with drawings and a checklist about the shooting. Colt had also been investigated in 2023 for online threats.

What is being done to make schools safer after the Apalachee High School shooting?

Georgia passed a new law, House Bill 268, to improve communication between schools and police. The school board is also discussing more security measures.

What happened to Colt Gray’s father?

Colin Gray, Colt’s dad, was charged with 29 crimes, including second-degree murder, for giving Colt the gun. He pleaded not guilty, and his trial will be held with jurors from another county.

How is the community coping with the Apalachee High School shooting?

The community is holding memorials, prayer circles, and vigils. Counselors are helping students, and many teachers have left due to the trauma.

Conclusion

The Apalachee High School shooting today is a sad event that has changed the lives of many people in Winder, Georgia. The loss of Mason, Christian, Richard, and Cristina has left a big hole in the community. However, the people of Winder are strong. They’re coming together to honor the victims, support each other, and make schools safer. By learning from this tragedy, we can work to prevent future shootings and keep our schools as safe places for everyone.

If you want to learn more about school safety or how to help, check out these resources:

– [Georgia Governor’s Office](https://gov.georgia.gov/) for updates on new laws.

– [National School Safety and Security Services](https://www.schoolsecurity.org/) for tips on keeping schools safe.

– [Everytown for Gun Safety](https://www.everytown.org/) for ways to support gun violence prevention.

Let’s keep working together to make sure our schools are safe for all students and teachers.