Crime
One student killed in Apalachee High School shooting identified as Mason Schermerhorn
The suspect, a 14-year-old student named Colt Gray, has been identified and will face murder charges.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has confirmed that four people were killed in the shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
Two of the victims were students, while the other two were teachers.
One of the victims of the shooting at Apalachee High School has been identified as Mason Schermerhorn. It is believed that Schermerhorn, who was autistic, wandered away from the school after students were dismissed.
The suspect, a 14-year-old student named Colt Gray, has been identified and will face murder charges.
Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith has stated that there is no known connection between the suspected shooter and the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Smith responded to a reporter’s question about a possible prior connection, stating that he was unaware of any such link.
Law enforcement officials have previously confirmed that the suspected shooter is a student at Apalachee High School.
Chris Hosey, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, emphasized that the investigation includes a thorough examination of the individual’s background and their relationship with the school.
The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office received reports of an active shooter at the school around 9:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Authorities are currently assisting students in reuniting with their families.
Sheriff Jud Smith described the incident as an act of evil and stated that the investigation is ongoing. He declined to provide further details about the victims.
Apalachee High School, which serves nearly 1,900 students in grades 9-12, had received a phone threat earlier that morning.
The threat warned of shootings at five schools, with Apalachee being the first target.
The origin of the call remains unknown, and authorities are investigating the matter.
Video Reveals the Gun Used in the Apalachee High School Shooting. A student recounted their harrowing experience during the school shooting, describing how they witnessed an automatic weapon lying on the floor in the hallway as they were exiting the building.
A special education math teacher, David Phenix, has been identified as the first victim of the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School.
Phenix survived the attack but sustained gunshot wounds to the hip and foot, resulting in a shattered hip bone. He was immediately transported to the hospital for emergency surgery.
Crime
Watch: Moments shots fired inside Lumberton Walmart, victim identified as 42-year-old Brandy Olson
Authorities believe the incident was isolated and confirmed that no additional injuries were reported.
Lumberton, NC – Shocking video footage has captured the moments when shots rang out inside the Lumberton Walmart on Fayetteville Road, leaving shoppers scrambling for safety amid a chaotic scene.
In the footage, a man can be heard yelling, “Get on the floor!” as panicked customers ran for the exits.
Tragically, the incident resulted in the death of a 42-year-old woman, identified as Brandy Olson, who was killed in the shooting on Friday evening.
According to the Lumberton Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Walmart at approximately 3:45 p.m. following a report of shots fired.
When officers and other responding agencies arrived, they found Olson suffering from a gunshot wound inside the Woodforest Bank located within the store.
Olson, described as an innocent bystander, was given immediate aid by bystanders attempting life-saving measures before being transported to UNC Health Southeastern.
Despite efforts to save her, Olson succumbed to her injuries.
Police confirmed that the shooter fled the store and left the area before law enforcement could apprehend them.
Authorities believe the incident was isolated and confirmed that no additional injuries were reported.
City Councilman John Cantey Jr. released a statement following the incident:
“I would just like to reiterate to our citizens here in Lumberton. A lot of the citizens are calling. With inquiries into the tragic shooting at our Walmart. Just want to let our citizens know that it was an isolated incident. Where an innocent bystander was shot. I don’t want to preempt our law enforcement. Because they are working very hard and diligently to apprehend those suspects. I know our citizens are afraid. They are fearful of this holiday season. And it is a tragedy. And our prayers, on behalf of my precinct, and the city goes out to the lady’s family that unfortunately. And I will go on record and I will see it. Unfortunately has lost her life today because of the tragic event. Enough is enough. Gun violence is getting out of control. Us as elected officials, on a local level. The county, state, and federal level is going to have to somehow come up with some type of understanding. Mutual ground. We don’t want to infringe upon anybody’s individual rights on the second amendment. But, these guns out on the street that are on warranted. Or stolen, or obtained illegally. They are really harming our community. And, our citizens and we’re just going to have to pray. Pray just a little bit harder.”
Law enforcement is continuing their investigation and is urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Sgt. Blake Harrell of the Lumberton Police Department can be reached at 910-671-3845.
The Lumberton community is left shaken by this tragedy as investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.