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Shop NowWhen news of a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in northern Georgia first broke Wednesday morning, September 4. Nobody knew much more about it than that. Initial rumors and speculation were replaced by hard facts when local officials held an afternoon press conference. While we know a lot more now than in the beginning, huge gaps remain to be filled in.
High School Shooting
Wednesday morning’s mass shooting claimed the lives of two Apalachee High School students and two teachers. At least nine others were hospitalized. Law enforcement officials have determined that 14-year-old Colt Gray will be charged with murder as an adult.
He’s alive and in custody, Georgia Bureau of Investigation verified. Detectives had already interviewed him by the time of the press conference but police weren’t ready to say a whole lot.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp assured his constituents, “I have directed all available state resources to respond to the incident at Apalachee High School and urge all Georgians to join my family in praying for the safety of those in our classrooms, both in Barrow County and across the state.”
All morning everyone had been wondering if there was any connection between the shooting victims and the killer. When asked about that by the press, Sheriff Jud Smith responded, “none that I’m aware of.”
The sheriff solved another mystery the public was pursuing. Gray was a student at the school. Because of that, the sheriff’s probe of the shooting will look “into every aspect of that individual, his connection here at the school.”
Law enforcement has also reached out to Gray’s family but Smith didn’t mention any of what they discussed.
Motive not revealed
The big question on everyone’s mind is why did he do it? There’s no obvious answer and Sheriff Smith hasn’t a clue. “We may not ever know why this school shooting occurred,” he declared. He’s looking into it, anyway. This one really “hits home” for Smith. “born and raised in the county.”
He’s “proud of this school system.” That’s why “my heart hurts for these kids, my heart hurts for our community, but I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. I want that to be very clear and known.”
Parent Greg Mann relates that the mass shooting caused a nightmare for freaked out parents. The students had to move to the sports field and many “were still trying to get in touch with their families.” They all had to leave their phones and keys inside the building when they evacuated.
“Nobody’s seen this coming. You don’t really know what to do.” There are reports that the school “received a phone call on Wednesday morning.” It warned “there would be shootings at five schools, with Apalachee being the first.”
Sophomore Miguel Orta saw a “huge puddle of blood in the classroom. That really, it like dropped my stomach. It was heartbreaking to see that.” He was “upset and disappointed” by the ordeal. “If something like this can happen here, when you think it’s a normal day, it can happen anywhere, and that’s what really hurts.”
Another student texted his mother. “School shooting. I’m scared. Pls. I’m not joking.” Mom tapped back “I’m leaving work.” The unidentified student said it first. “I love you.” “Love you too baby. Where are you?” “Class. Someone’s dead.“
