Crime
One student killed in Apalachee High School shooting identified as Mason Schermerhorn
The suspect, a 14-year-old student named Colt Gray, has been identified and will face murder charges.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed that four people were killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
Two of the victims were students, while the other two were teachers.
One of the victims of the shooting at Apalachee High School has been identified as Mason Schermerhorn. It is believed that Schermerhorn, who was autistic, wandered away from the school after students were dismissed.
The suspect, a 14-year-old student named Colt Gray, has been identified and will face murder charges.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith has stated that there is no known connection between the suspected shooter and the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Smith responded to a reporter’s question about a possible prior connection, stating that he was unaware of any such link.
Law enforcement officials have previously confirmed that the suspected shooter is a student at Apalachee High School.
Chris Hosey, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, emphasized that the investigation includes a thorough examination of the individual’s background and their relationship with the school.
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
Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.
The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.
When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.
That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.
Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.
Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.
In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:
“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”
The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.
“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”
Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.