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
Two Children, Ages 9 and 10, Charged in Brutal Assault and Attempted Murder of 5-Year-Old A’Marie Jones in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two children, ages 9 and 10, have been formally charged in connection with the brutal assault and attempted murder of a 5-year-old girl A’marie Jones in Cleveland last month, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors confirmed that the 9-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl are facing serious felony charges, including attempted murder, rape, felonious assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.
Because of their ages, both suspects are being charged as juveniles.
The alleged attack occurred on September 13 in a field near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue, where investigators say the young victim was discovered severely injured.
The child’s mother, Antavia Kennibrew, previously told that her daughter suffered catastrophic injuries, describing the scene as “unbelievable.” Kennibrew said she had dropped her daughter off at a relative’s home near East 145th Street and St. Clair Avenue that day.
At some point, the 5-year-old reportedly wandered out of the house alone before being attacked.
“When I saw her, she was unrecognizable,” Kennibrew said. “Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood, her lips and mouth were swollen and bleeding, and her nails were filled with dirt and debris.”
First responders rushed the child to the hospital for emergency treatment. Officials say she continues to recover but has suffered severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. She is now undergoing ongoing therapy and counseling.
Due to the extreme sensitivity of the case and the involvement of minors, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has declined to release further details, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the victim’s privacy.
“The investigation remains active,” prosecutors said, noting that authorities are still reviewing evidence and gathering additional information.
Kennibrew says her focus now is on helping her daughter heal:
“I just want her to be able to live like a normal 5-year-old again.”
Cleveland police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.