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
Jonathan Schaffer killed in shooting inside Coquette Brasserie at North Hills in Raleigh
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Two employees of Coquette Brasserie have identified the gunman involved in Friday’s deadly shooting, which left one employee dead and another injured.
The incident unfolded inside the French restaurant, located at 4351 The Circle at North Hills Street in Raleigh.
According to witnesses, George Colom, the executive chef at Coquette, entered the restaurant before 11 a.m. and fatally shot Jonathan Schaffer, a fellow employee.
Colom then shot Jonathan Aguilar, another employee, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
After the shootings, Colom turned the gun on himself. He remains in critical condition, according to Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson.
Chief Patterson stated that all shots were fired inside the restaurant and the incident appeared to stem from a personal dispute.
She emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Urban Food Group, the company that owns Coquette, had listed Colom as the restaurant’s executive chef on its website. However, his name has since been removed.
Colom has a notable criminal history:
In September 2024, Colom was involved in a crash in Orange County, North Carolina, and pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident. He was ordered to pay $193 in court costs.
In January 2011, Colom was convicted in federal court for possessing a stolen firearm in New Mexico. He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison. The charges stemmed from a 2010 incident.
After his release from federal prison, Colom returned to North Carolina and transitioned into the restaurant industry. According to his LinkedIn profile, he initially worked in the Wilmington area before moving to the Raleigh-Durham region around 2017.
Before his incarceration, Colom reportedly attended culinary classes at Central New Mexico Community College, where he honed his skills as a chef. His social media accounts feature photos of his culinary creations alongside images of firearms tagged with evidence markers from the U.S. Department of Justice.
State court records indicate that Colom is originally from Hubert, Onslow County, North Carolina, near the coast. His record also includes minor drug charges.
The Raleigh Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. Chief Patterson has assured the public that no additional threats exist, and authorities are working to provide clarity to the community.
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Raleigh Police Department or submit tips anonymously.