Crime
Apalachee High School shooting suspect identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray
According to the GBI, 2 students and 2 teachers were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
The shooter has been identified as Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at the school, and he will be charged with murder.
There have been reports that Kolten Gray, another student at the school, was involved. These reports are inaccurate.
A law enforcement official has confirmed that an AR-15-style rifle was used in the mass shooting at Apalachee High School.
While the GBI has not released specific details about how the suspect obtained the weapon or the ammunition used, the investigation is ongoing.
In May 2023, the FBIโs National Threat Operations Center received anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unspecified location.
The threats included photographs of guns. The FBI identified the post as originating in Georgia and referred the information to the Jackson County Sheriffโs Office.
The Jackson County Sheriffโs Office identified a possible suspect, a 13-year-old male, and interviewed him and his father.
The father stated that there were hunting guns in the house, but the suspect did not have unsupervised access to them.
The suspect denied making the threats.
Local schools were alerted for continued monitoring.
At that time, there was no probable cause for arrest or further law enforcement action at the local, state, or federal levels.
A photo depicts the home in Bethlehem, Georgia, where Colt Gray, the alleged 14-year-old suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting, resided with his father and two younger siblings.
The home is approximately 6 miles away from the school.
Original Report:
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported that a suspect is in custody and alive. Previous reports suggesting the suspect was neutralized were incorrect.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office received reports of an active shooter at the school around 9:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Authorities are currently assisting students in reuniting with their families.
Sheriff Jud Smith described the incident as an act of evil and stated that the investigation is ongoing. He declined to provide further details about the victims.
Apalachee High School, which serves nearly 1,900 students in grades 9-12, had received a phone threat earlier that morning.
The threat warned of shootings at five schools, with Apalachee being the first target.
The origin of the call remains unknown, and authorities are investigating the matter.
Video Reveals the Gun Used in the Apalachee High School Shooting. A student recounted their harrowing experience during the school shooting, describing how they witnessed an automatic weapon lying on the floor in the hallway as they were exiting the building.
A special education math teacher, David Phenix, has been identified as the first victim of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School.
Phenix survived the attack but sustained gunshot wounds to the hip and foot, resulting in a shattered hip bone. He was immediately transported to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Crime
Retired Berkeley Fire Chief Henry Williams and his daughter Halayna Williams killed in Ferguson shooting
The St. Louis community is grieving the tragic loss of retired Berkeley Fire Chief Henry Williams and his 15-year-old daughter, Halayna Williams, following a fatal shooting at a Ferguson residence on Saturday evening.
According to the Ferguson Police Department, officers responded at approximately 6:15 p.m. on February 21 to a reported medical emergencyโinitially described as a โsick caseโโin the 500 block of North Clay Avenue in Ferguson.
Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male and a teenage female suffering from severe injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
Police immediately initiated life-saving measures; however, both victims were pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troy Doyle confirmed that the adult male victim was Henry Williams, who previously served as Fire Chief for the Berkeley Fire Department.
Williams was widely respected throughout the region for his years of service and leadership in public safety.
Halayna Williams, a 15-year-old high school student, was described by family and friends as a vibrant and well-loved member of her school community.
She was an active basketball player and was remembered by classmates and staff for her positive spirit and strong presence both on and off the court.
61-year-old Linda Hayden has officially been charged with two counts of First-Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action.
The loss has deeply affected family members, friends, first responders, and residents across the St. Louis area, many of whom have expressed their condolences and support for those impacted by the tragedy.
The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Ferguson Police Department at 314-522-3100.