ATHENS, Ga. − On Thursday, authorities in Georgia were actively investigating the horrifying circumstances that led a 14-year-old, who had previously been associated with violent threats, to open fire in his high school. This incident resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students, leaving the small town of Winder in deep sorrow.

The victims, who lost their lives on Wednesday, include 14-year-olds Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, along with their math instructors Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53. Additionally, eight other students and one teacher were injured during the event.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith reported that the shooter was equipped with an “AR-platform style weapon” and began firing shortly after 10:20 a.m. Sheriff Smith confirmed that the shooter, identified as Colt Gray, was confronted by deputies stationed at the school, leading to his immediate surrender. Investigators have not yet revealed any insights regarding the motives behind the assault.

“What occurred today can be described as pure evil,” Sheriff Smith stated during a press conference late Wednesday.

Colt Gray was taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville where he will have a virtual court appearance scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Friday. Authorities indicated that he will be charged and face trial as an adult, as confirmed by Chris Hosey, head of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The FBI had previously received intelligence regarding online threats made by Gray last year when he was 13. These alerts were forwarded to officials in adjacent Jackson County, but they determined there was not enough evidence to pursue an arrest.

Recent updates:

∎ This shooting marks the first planned attack of the school year, according to David Riedman, who manages the K-12 School Shooting Database.

∎ A vigil attended by hundreds of community members took place in downtown Winder on Wednesday night, where many lit candles and shared prayers for the lives lost in this tragic event.

∎ The GBI has confirmed that there is no indication that any other individuals were involved in the shooting or that additional schools may be at risk.

A student’s observation of Gray attempting to re-enter the classroom before the shooting

Classmate Lyela Sayarath recounted to the Associated Press how the shooter aimed his weapon at students in a school hallway after they hesitated to allow him back into his algebra classroom. Sayarath described Gray as a quiet individual who had recently switched schools and stated she watched the situation unfold through a window in the door.

She mentioned that some students attempted to open the locked door but then chose to step back.

“I assume they noticed something alarming,” Sayarath said before she heard a series of rapid gunshots, “about 10 or 15 at once.”

Marques Coleman, 14, described seeing the shooter holding a “big gun” just moments before the chaos erupted.

“When I saw that, I jumped up and ran away; he started firing like 10 times,” Coleman reported. “My teacher rushed to barricade the door using desks.”

Kyson Stancion recounted his experience to ABC News, stating that he was in his classroom when he heard gunfire and police officers shouting to students in the hallway to “duck down and get back into classrooms.”

“Everyone was in tears,” he noted. “My teacher worked hard to keep us all safe.”

Colt Gray was previously interviewed by the FBI regarding threats last year

The FBI was alerted last year about online threats made by Gray, the suspect in Wednesday’s Apalachee High School incident. In May 2023, the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received anonymous tips warning of intentions to carry out a school shooting, though the location remained unknown, as per a federal social media announcement. The threats, which included images of firearms, were traced back to Jackson County, Georgia, prompting the FBI to inform the Jackson County Sheriff’s office.

Authorities conducted interviews with Gray and his father, who stated that while he possessed hunting rifles at home, Gray did not have access to them. Colt Gray denied making any threats online. The FBI’s review determined there was insufficient cause for an arrest or further action, and the information was communicated to local schools. However, at the time of the shooting, Gray was a student at Apalachee High School in nearby Barrow County. Read more here.

Loved ones gather to mourn the four lives lost

Friends of Angulo remember him as a free-spirited individual with a laid-back demeanor. His older sister, Lisette, reminisced about Angulo’s kindness Described as “very sweet and incredibly caring,” Angulo’s funeral services are being supported through a GoFundMe page.

“He was deeply loved by many, and his passing was both sudden and unexpected,” wrote Lisette Angulo. “We are truly devastated.”

Those who knew Schermerhorn remembered him as a cheerful teenager who cherished time with his family, enjoyed reading, shared jokes, played video games, and frequently visited Walt Disney World, according to a report by The New York Times.

Aspinwall, who taught math, also served as the defensive coordinator for the school’s football team. Head coach Mike Hancock referred to him as “a great dad, a wonderful man, and an exemplary father.”

<p”Aspinwall cherished his two daughters and adored his wife,” Hancock added. “He had a passion for football and earned great respect in our community.”

Students characterized Irimie as kind and patient. As reported by the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, her pastor and friends noted that Irimie had a strong connection to her Romanian heritage and was committed to her roots. Pastor Nicolae Clempus shared that he came to know Irimie shortly after his arrival in the U.S. in 2001. Having immigrated from Romania a few years earlier, she was active in the expatriate community and helped him feel welcome.

Georgia School Shooting Marks 23rd Incident in 2024

Since the beginning of 2024, over 20 schools nationwide have been affected by gun violence. The shooting at Apalachee High School was the 23rd occurrence this year resulting in injuries or fatalities, as tracked by Education Week, a news organization focused on K-12 education. Education Week is one of several groups monitoring gun violence in schools, but their criteria for tracking incidents is specific. Prior to Wednesday’s incident in Georgia, there had been 22 school shootings this year that resulted in seven deaths and 29 injuries, per Education Week’s records.

Since Education Week started monitoring school shootings in 2018, there have been over 200 incidents.

− Amaris Encinas

Contributing: Thao Nguyen, YSL News; Reuters