Georgia High School Shooting: Victims and the Shooter, Colt Gray

On September 4, 2024, a tragic shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, resulting in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to nine others. The victims include two students, 14-year-olds Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall (39) and Christina Irimie (53).

The alleged shooter, Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the school, was arrested and is expected to be charged with murder as an adult. Gray had a history of troubling behavior, including previous anonymous online threats that were investigated but did not lead to an arrest at the time.

### Victims

- **Mason Schermerhorn** (14): A student at Apalachee High School, remembered by classmates for his kindness and bright personality.

- **Christian Angulo** (14): Another student who tragically lost his life in the shooting, known for his love of sports and close-knit group of friends.

- **Richard Aspinwall** (39): A math teacher and assistant football coach, respected for his dedication to his students and the school’s athletic program.

- **Christina Irimie** (53): A math teacher who had been part of the school’s faculty for years, known for her passion for education and her caring nature towards students.

### The Shooter: Colt Gray

Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student, was apprehended at the scene after the shooting. Authorities have indicated that he will be charged with murder as an adult. Gray had previously been investigated for online threats involving guns, but no action was taken at the time due to a lack of probable cause. The investigation into his motives and how he obtained the weapon used in the shooting is ongoing.

The community of Winder is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, with calls for stronger gun control measures and better mental health resources for students. The event has also reignited national debates over school safety and gun violence in America.

### What Happened in Georgia?

On the morning of September 4, 2024, a tragic shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. The suspected shooter, a student, left an algebra class around 9:45 a.m. and returned just before the class ended. A student who attempted to open the door noticed the gun and didn’t open it. The shooter then moved to the next classroom and opened fire.

The first reports of the shooting reached officers at approximately 10:20 a.m. local time. Following the incident, all schools in the district were placed on lockdown, and law enforcement was dispatched to all district high schools. Earlier that morning, the school had received a phone threat warning of shootings at five schools, with Apalachee High being identified as the first target.

The incident has left the community in shock, sparking concerns about school safety and the need for preventive measures to address such threats.

### Where Did the Shooting Take Place?

The shooting occurred at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, a city about an hour outside of Atlanta. Apalachee High is one of three high schools in the Barrow County School System and serves nearly 1,900 students.

Georgia has relatively weak gun laws, ranking 46th out of 50 states in terms of gun law strength according to Everytown for Gun Safety. The state has high firearm-related deaths and minors cannot legally possess handguns.

### Who is Colt Gray, the Suspected Shooter?

Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School, has been identified as the suspected shooter in the recent tragic incident. Authorities have stated that Gray will be charged and tried as an adult. He allegedly used an AR-platform semiautomatic rifle, similar to an AR-15, which has been involved in several other deadly mass shootings in the U.S.

Earlier this year, Gray had been interviewed by local law enforcement after the FBI received tips about potential online threats related to a school shooting. At that time, his father acknowledged the presence of hunting guns in their home but denied unsupervised access to them. Law enforcement found no probable cause for an arrest back then.

Gray has been described by a classmate, Lyela Sayarath, as a "pretty quiet" individual who rarely interacted with others, to the extent that she could barely recall his voice or face.

### Who Do We Know About the Victims?

In the recent tragic incident, four people were killed, and nine others were hospitalized. The victims who lost their lives have been identified as:

- **Christian Angulo**, a 14-year-old student

- **Mason Schermerhorn**, a 14-year-old student

- **Christina Irimie**, a 53-year-old math teacher

- **Richard Aspinwall**, a 39-year-old math teacher and assistant football coach

Of the nine individuals hospitalized—eight students and one teacher—who were wounded, they are expected to recover.

### How Did Presidential Candidates React to the High School Shooting?

.With the U.S. election just two months away and Georgia being a crucial battleground state, both principal candidates—Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump—have addressed the recent high school shooting.

.Speaking from the campaign trail in New Hampshire, Harris described the incident in Georgia as a “senseless tragedy on top of so many senseless tragedies.” She expressed outrage over the frequent occurrence of such events, stating, “And it’s just outrageous that every day, in our country, the United States of America, that parents have to send their children to school worried about whether or not their child will come home alive.”

.With the U.S. election approaching and Georgia being a pivotal battleground state, the response from the principal presidential candidates has been notable.

.Former President Donald Trump, in a social media post, condemned the attack, saying, “These cherished children were taken from us far too soon by a sick and deranged monster.” Trump, who was himself a victim of gun violence last month in a failed assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, has vowed to protect the rights of gun owners and repeal restrictions imposed by the current administration. His vice presidential pick, JD Vance, described the shooting as “despicable violence” in a social media post.

.Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, while campaigning in Pennsylvania, also addressed the tragedy. He remarked, “This is tragic... and our hearts are out there right now, but our work needs to prevent these in the future, as we know.”