The small town of Winder, Georgia, was rocked by a devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School on Wednesday, leaving the community in shock and mourning. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), four people were killed in the attack, including two students and two teachers.
During a press conference, GBI Director Chris Hosey confirmed that the suspect, a 14-year-old Apalachee student named Colt Gray, is alive and in police custody. Hosey stated that Gray “will be charged with murder and handled as an adult,” underscoring the gravity of the situation.
“The priority right now for us in this investigation is to gather all the facts,” Hosey said, emphasizing that the investigation is still ongoing. “This is still a very active investigation.”
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith, visibly shaken, expressed his disbelief at the tragedy, stating, “I never imagined that I would be speaking to the media in my career over something that happened today — pure evil that happened today.” He assured the community that “hate will not prevail in this county.”
The school superintendent announced that Barrow County schools would be closed for the rest of the week, allowing the community time to grieve and process the devastating events.
The shooting unfolded around 10:20 a.m. ET, when multiple agencies and emergency personnel were dispatched to the school after reports of an active shooter. About an hour later, the school was evacuated, and students were reunited with their families. Law enforcement and emergency responders were seen on campus, with at least two people being airlifted to nearby hospitals.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the events. A 17-year-old student told ABC News that he was in chemistry class when he heard gunshots. His teacher quickly locked the door, and the class huddled in the back as they could hear more gunshots and screams. Another student described the initial confusion, thinking the gunshots were fake until he heard the screaming and saw a body in one of the rooms.
“They prepare you for these things,” a 15-year-old girl told the New York Times. “But in the moment, I started crying. I got nervous.”
The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of grief and condemnation from political leaders and officials. President Biden issued a statement, expressing his sorrow and calling for an end to the cycle of gun violence that continues to “tear our communities apart.” Vice President Kamala Harris, who was campaigning in New Jersey, described the shooting as a “senseless tragedy.”
Former President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, called the shooting “tragic” and the suspect “sick and deranged.” Attorney General Merrick Garland also expressed his devastation, stating that the Justice Department stands ready to provide resources and support to the Winder community.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp took to social media, urging all Georgians to join him in praying for the safety of those in the state’s classrooms. He assured that the state would continue to work with local, state, and federal partners to gather information and respond to the situation.
In a troubling development, the FBI Atlanta office acknowledged that it had received several anonymous tips in May 2023 about threats of a school shooting. The agency had referred the tips to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, which had investigated the same subject now in custody. However, the suspect had denied making the threats, and his father had assured officials that he did not have unsupervised access to the family’s guns.
As the community of Winder grapples with the aftermath of this devastating tragedy, the investigation continues, and the nation once again confronts the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools. The loss of life and the trauma experienced by the students, teachers, and families will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to address this pervasive problem.
