Crime
What we know about the 4 people killed in Apalachee High School shooting
Colt Gray will make his first court appearance on Friday.
Four people were tragically killed in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday morning.
The victims have been identified as:
- Mason Schermerhorn: A 14-year-old student
- Christian Angulo: A 14-year-old student
- Richard Aspinwall: A math teacher and assistant football coach
- Christina Irimie: A math teacher
The school’s website confirms that both Aspinwall and Irimie were math teachers, and Aspinwall also served as an assistant football coach.
Colt Gray, a 14-year-old student at Apalachee High School, has been identified as the suspected gunman in the tragic shooting.
Gray will face murder charges and be tried as an adult.
Last year, Gray was questioned by law enforcement regarding several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unspecified location and time. However, there was insufficient evidence to warrant an arrest at that time.
Colt Gray will make his first court appearance on Friday.
The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice communications director, Glenn Allen, confirmed that Gray will appear in a virtual hearing, although the exact timing has not been determined.
Gray was transferred to the Gainesville Youth Detention Center overnight. Despite facing adult charges, he is currently being held in juvenile custody due to his age.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) director, Chris Hosey, stated during a press conference on Wednesday night that authorities are still investigating how the suspect obtained the AR-platform style weapon used in the shooting.
Law enforcement sources have confirmed that there were no additional shootings or incidents reported in connection with the Apalachee High School tragedy.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) director has stated that an AR-platform weapon was used in the shooting.
Prior to the attack, Apalachee High School received a phone threat warning of shootings at five schools, with Apalachee being the first target. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest that any other schools were targeted.
The GBI director, Chris Hosey, has indicated that investigators are exploring the possibility of associates of the shooter being involved in the incident. At this time, there is no evidence to support the involvement of additional shooters or the existence of a list of targeted schools.
As the investigation continues, schools in the county will remain closed for the week.
Lyela Sayarath, a student at Apalachee High School, described how the suspected shooter left the classroom at the beginning of their Algebra 1 class around 9:45 a.m.
Upon returning to the classroom near the end of the class, the shooter knocked on the door. Another student approached to open the door but noticed the shooter was armed and did not open it. The shooter then proceeded to the next-door classroom and opened fire.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Department received the first reports of the shooting around 10:20 a.m. Law enforcement and two school resource officers assigned to Apalachee High responded promptly.
Sheriff Jud Smith stated that a resource officer confronted the shooter, who immediately surrendered and was taken into custody.
As a precautionary measure, all schools in the district were placed on lockdown, and police officers were sent to all district high schools.
The FBI and the ATF joined the investigation, working alongside local and state officials. Attorney General Merrick Garland confirmed their involvement.
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.