As investigators worked to determine a motive behind Wednesday’s deadly school shooting in Georgia, they said they were also seeking answers about the weapon allegedly used by the 14-year-old suspect.
The shooting early Wednesday at Apalachee High School in Winder killed two students and two teachers, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, were killed, along with students Mason Schermerhorn, 14, and Christian Angulo, 14, officials said. Nine others were injured, officials said.
GBI Director Chris Hosey speaks during a press conference following a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, Sept. 4, 2024.
Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters
The suspect, Colt Gray, a student at the school, surrendered Wednesday and was taken into custody, the GBI said. He will be charged with murder and he will be tried as an adult, the GBI said.
He was being held Thursday morning at Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, the Department of Juvenile Justice told ABC News’ affiliate WSB.
People leave Apalachee High School, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, in Winder, Ga.
Mike Stewart/AP
Chris Hosey, the director of the GBI, said Wednesday night that an AR-platform-style weapon was used in the incident.
Officials said they did not yet have any answers for how Gray was allegedly able to obtain the gun to get it into the school. County Sheriff Jud Smith said that Gray was interviewed by investigators and GBI, but did not disclose further details.
A motive has not yet been determined and it is unknown if the victims were targeted, investigators said.
People hold candles while attending a vigil at Jug Tavern Park following a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Sept. 4, 2024.
Elijah Nouvelage/Reuters
The FBI said on Wednesday that the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, acting on an alert, interviewed the alleged shooting suspect in 2023.
“In May 2023, the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center received several anonymous tips about online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location and time,” the FBI post read.
The FBI added, “Within 24 hours, the FBI determined the online post originated in Georgia and the FBI’s Atlanta Field Office referred the information to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for action.”
ABC News’ Alexandra Faul, Josh Margolin, Brandon Baur, Faith Abubey, Miles Cohen, Emily Shapiro, Meredith Deliso and Jessica Gorman contributed to this report.
On May 7, 2021, tragedy struck a Georgia high school when a student opened fire, killing one of his classmates and injuring several others. The incident has left the community in shock and mourning, as they try to make sense of the senseless violence that occurred within the walls of their school.
As investigators work to piece together what led to the shooting, there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the weapon used and the motive behind the attack. The weapon used in the shooting has not been publicly identified, leaving many wondering how the student was able to obtain such a deadly weapon and bring it onto school grounds undetected.
Additionally, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. While some reports suggest that the student may have been dealing with mental health issues, others point to possible conflicts with classmates or personal struggles that may have led to the violent outburst. Without a clear motive, it is difficult for the community to understand why such a tragic event occurred and how it could have been prevented.
The shooting has reignited the debate over gun control and school safety measures, with many calling for stricter regulations on firearms and increased security measures in schools. However, these discussions can only go so far without a better understanding of how and why the shooting took place in the first place.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial for authorities to uncover the truth behind the shooting and provide closure for the victims and their families. The community must come together to support one another during this difficult time and work towards preventing future tragedies from occurring.
In the wake of this devastating event, it is important for everyone to remember the importance of mental health awareness, conflict resolution, and creating a safe and supportive environment for all students. Only by addressing these underlying issues can we hope to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
