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
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.