Crime
Teacher Jennifer Carter Informed Apalachee High School Students It Was Just a Drill
My kids were so brave and followed my instructions without panicking for over 10 minutes.
Teacher Jennifer Carter told her students at Apalachee High School that it was just a drill, even though a shooting had occurred, leaving 4 people dead and 9 injured. She later explained, “I knew it wasn’t true, but I said it for the safety of the kids.”
“Jennifer Carter shared this on Facebook: ‘Today was the scariest day of my teaching career. During our second-period drill, I lied to my students, telling them it was just a practice.
I knew it was a real lockdown, and I’d always planned my classroom layout with safety in mind. My kids were so brave and followed my instructions without panicking for over 10 minutes.
When the real emergency began, I had to come clean. They trusted me and stayed hidden, even when the situation became chaotic. It was the most helpless I’ve ever felt. I was terrified for my students, especially Anna, who was somewhere in the building.
Finally, we were evacuated to the football field, surrounded by armed police. My kids were still so calm and followed my directions. I’m so grateful that my planning paid off, but I wish I never had to put it to use.’”
Colt Gray’s father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, has been arrested in connection with the Apalachee High School shooting.
Colin Gray faces charges of four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) director, Chris Hosey, stated that these charges stem from Mr. Gray knowingly allowing his son, Colt, to possess a weapon.
Last year, Colin Gray accompanied his son during an interview with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office after the FBI linked online threats to the then-13-year-old Colt.
Despite no probable cause being found at that time, the school was notified of the incident. Subsequently, the family relocated to neighboring Barrow County, where Colt enrolled at Apalachee High School.
Hosey did not disclose specific details about the evidence collected against either father or son but confirmed that the arrest was made when sufficient probable cause was established.
Within an hour of Colt Gray’s arrest, the ATF and GBI conducted a thorough search of the Gray family home for evidence related to the shooting. Colin Gray was booked into the Barrow County Jail.
The GBI continues to investigate the incident, following all leads and evidence. Authorities have also revealed that all nine individuals injured in the shooting are expected to recover. Two of the injured were teachers, while the rest were students. Several victims remain hospitalized.
The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
A hearing has been scheduled for Friday, September 6th, at 8:30 a.m. for the 14-year-old accused of committing the mass shooting at Apalachee High School.
The suspect, Colt Gray, was transferred to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center overnight. Despite being a juvenile, he will be tried and arraigned as an adult. Gray faces four counts of felony murder.
The hearing will take place via video conference from the youth detention facility to the Barrow County courthouse.
Law enforcement officials interviewed Gray immediately after the shooting. However, the motive behind the attack remains unclear at this time.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.