Four dead and nine injured at Apalachee High School in Winter, Georgia is the account of the new massacre that is shocking the American public opinion. The 14-year-old who allegedly opened fire, identified as Colt Gray, is in custody and has been identified as a 14-year-old student at the school, which is located about an hour outside of Atlanta.

But questions arise about the FBI’s stance (Federal Bureau of Investigation) according to American media, the 14-year-old was being investigated by the FBI since 2023 in the context of an investigation into online threats.

Specifically, Gray was questioned by authorities last year after “numerous anonymous reports about online threats of a school shooting at an undisclosed location and time,” according to the Atlanta FBI office and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. According to the FBI’s statement at the time, it was determined that there were insufficient grounds for restrictive measures, but local authorities in Georgia had been notified of Gray’s surveillance.

The four victims of the 14-year-old who were identified are:

  • 14-year-old Mason Schermehorn
  • 14-year-old Christian Angulo
  • Educator Richard Aspinwall
  • The teacher Christina Irimai

The two teachers taught high school math while Aspingwell coached the school’s American rugby team.

The other nine people who were injured – eight students and a teacher – are being treated out of danger.

Gray will be charged with murder and will be tried as an adult.

Shootings

How a student’s observation saved lives

It is noted that the observation of a 14-year-old student saved lives. A student reported that the suspect left their algebra class around 9:45 a.m. (local time). When he returned near the end of class, Gray knocked on the door to return. Another student went to open the door, but the student said the classmate noticed the gunman’s gun and did not open it. Then the attacker went to the next classroom and opened fire.

EPA Two girls cry at a vigil

The county sheriff’s office received the first reports of the shooting around 10:20 a.m. local time. Authorities arrived soon after those calls, and two police officers assigned to guard duty at Apalachee High School were also mobilized. One of them confronted the assailant, who immediately surrendered and was taken into custody, Barrow County Sheriff Judd Smith told reporters.

Shootings