Mason Shermerhorn, Christian Angulo Obituary, Death – A tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning claimed the lives of two students and two teachers, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). The victims were identified as 14-year-old students Mason Shermerhorn and Christian Angulo, along with teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie.
In addition to the fatalities, another nine individuals—eight students and one teacher—were injured and taken to local hospitals. The suspect in the shooting, identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, a student at the school, was apprehended by police shortly after the incident and surrendered without resistance. Authorities have announced that Gray will face murder charges and will be tried as an adult.
The GBI has not yet confirmed whether the victims were specifically targeted or if the attack was random. The school community is devastated, with students and parents recounting their harrowing experiences during the incident. Senior Sergio Caldera, 17, recalled hearing gunshots while in chemistry class and how his teacher quickly locked the door, with students hiding at the back of the room. They later evacuated to the football field after hearing more gunfire and screams.
Another student, Kyson Stancion, described hearing police officers outside the classroom, warning about the ongoing shooting and telling people to take cover. The terror and chaos left many students, teachers, and families in shock and grief. Parents, like Jonathan Mills, rushed to the school to find out whether their children were safe, enduring an emotional roller coaster while waiting for news. Mills, a police officer, expressed disbelief, saying that such a tragedy seemed unimaginable in their close-knit community.
Following the shooting, Barrow County Schools announced that all schools in the district would be closed for the rest of the week. Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith condemned the incident, calling it “pure evil.”
Several of the injured victims were treated at hospitals in the Northeast Georgia Health System. Of the nine injured, three people with gunshot wounds were hospitalized, while five others sought medical attention for anxiety and panic attack symptoms following the traumatic event.
The shooting has prompted national attention, with leaders like President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris expressing their grief and calling for urgent action to address gun violence. President Biden lamented that children across the country are being forced to learn how to survive active shootings rather than focusing on their education. He emphasized the need for Congress, particularly Republicans, to work with Democrats to pass common-sense gun safety measures, including banning assault weapons, enforcing universal background checks, and holding gun manufacturers accountable.
Vice President Harris echoed Biden’s sentiments, stating that the epidemic of gun violence must come to an end. She emphasized the importance of enacting reasonable gun safety laws, clarifying that supporting the Second Amendment does not contradict the need for such legislation. Harris called for measures like assault weapon bans and red flag laws to prevent further tragedies.
Attorney General Merrick Garland also expressed his devastation over the shooting and offered the Justice Department’s support to the affected families and community. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, heartbroken by the event, said it was a nightmare scenario for any parent. He reassured the community that local, state, and federal agencies are working together to provide resources and support in the aftermath of the tragedy. Kemp canceled a planned speech in Las Vegas to return to Georgia in light of the incident.
In response to the shooting, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced that authorities would increase patrols around schools as a precautionary measure, while extending his condolences to those affected.
This shooting marks the 16th mass shooting in Georgia in 2024 and is part of a troubling national trend of mass shootings, with 385 such incidents occurring in the United States as of September 4.
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with the GBI working to determine the motive behind the attack. Meanwhile, the community in Winder is left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless violence, as students, families, and educators come to terms with the devastating loss of life. The days ahead will likely involve difficult conversations about school safety, mental health, and the steps needed to prevent similar tragedies in the future.