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
One Dead, One Injured in Apparent Self-Defense Shooting Outside Cali Rose 15 Kitchen in Lakeland
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, at approximately 9:31 p.m., officers with the Lakeland Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at Cali Rose 15 Kitchen, formerly known as Rush Hour Bar & Grill, located at 1323 Ariana Street in Lakeland.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that two individuals—identified as Jesse Banks, 28, of Lakeland, and Nicholas Lue, 26, of West Palm Beach—had sustained gunshot wounds.
Both men were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for emergency treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Banks was pronounced deceased.
Lue was stabilized and remains hospitalized in recovery.
Preliminary findings from witness interviews and physical evidence at the scene indicate that the incident began as a verbal altercation between Banks, Lue, and another individual, identified as Tre D’Shon Huntly, 24, of Lakeland.
The confrontation occurred just outside the restaurant’s front entrance.
According to investigators, the dispute escalated when Banks physically struck Huntly in the head.
At that moment, a male standing just inside the business opened the front door in defense of Huntly.
Banks and Lue then allegedly turned their aggression toward this second individual, producing a firearm and pointing it at him.
In response, Huntly drew a handgun and discharged several rounds, striking both Banks and Lue.
A handgun was later recovered from Banks at the scene.
Huntly remained at the location and fully cooperated with detectives during the investigation.
Based on the information available, it appears Huntly acted in self-defense.
No criminal charges have been filed at this time.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is urged to contact Detective Neal Robertson at 863-834-6971 or via email at neal.robertson@lakelandgov.net.