Crime
Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray Mugshot released
A bond hearing for Gray is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Barrow County Courthouse.
The mugshot of Colt Gray, the 14-year-old suspect in the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School, has been released to the public.
Gray opened fire at the school yesterday, resulting in the deaths of two teachers and two students. Nine others were injured.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Gray, charging him with four counts of felony murder. The warrants are identical except for the victim’s name.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed that Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School, is the suspect in the tragic shooting that occurred at the school.
Gray has been charged with four counts of felony murder, and additional charges are expected. He is currently in custody.
Two of the victims of the shooting were students, while the other two were teachers. The motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
The FBI revealed that Gray was investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 after allegedly posting online threats containing images of guns.
The threats included plans to commit a school shooting at an unspecified location and time. At the time, Gray was 13 years old.
Gray’s father stated that although there were hunting guns in their home, his son did not have unsupervised access to them. The boy also denied making the online threats.
A bond hearing for Gray is scheduled for Friday at 8:30 a.m. at the Barrow County Courthouse.
Crime
Stephen McKenzie Identified as Suspect in Pembroke Park Shooting That Left Mother and Three Children Dead
PEMBROKE PARK, FL – Authorities have identified the suspect in a horrific mass shooting at a Pembroke Park apartment complex as 34-year-old Stephen McKenzie, the father of two of the youngest victims.
The shooting, which occurred on Wednesday evening, claimed the lives of a mother and three of her children.
At approximately 7:30 p.m., Pembroke Park Police and Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) deputies responded to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex located in the 3100 block of Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a woman and three children fatally shot inside the residence.
The victims were identified as:
- Julie Cruz, 32 (mother)
- Xion Solomon, 11
- Nova McKenzie, 2
- Emery McKenzie, 2
Both Nova and Emery were McKenzie’s biological children, authorities confirmed.
Additionally, first responders found 8-year-old Phiinyx Solomon suffering from gunshot wounds.
She was immediately transported to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, where she remains in serious condition.
McKenzie was also located at the scene with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, according to investigators.
He was transported to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in critical condition and is currently in police custody.
During a press briefing, BSO spokesperson Claudinne Caro confirmed that McKenzie has been identified as the primary suspect in the shooting.
“Upon arrival, officers found a woman and three children inside the apartment, all of whom were pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds. Another child and an adult male were also found injured. That male has now been identified as the suspect,” Caro stated.
The children’s grandmother arrived at the scene shortly after authorities notified her of the tragedy, collapsing into tears as she grieved the loss of her daughter and grandchildren.
“That’s my daughter! That’s my daughter!” she wailed in agony, as bystanders and neighbors attempted to console her.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the attack, but neighbors and community members are left shocked and devastated by the brutal act of domestic violence.
“I just don’t understand what could lead someone to do something so terrible,” said one neighbor.
McKenzie remains hospitalized under police watch as the BSO Homicide Unit continues its investigation.
Officials urge anyone with additional information to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.