Georgia School Shooting

Gun violence continues to prevail in the United States, with more and more shootings occurring. On September 4, 2024, a tragic mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, resulted in the deaths of four individuals: 14-year-old students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, as well as teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. Along with these deaths, eight students and one teacher were injured, fortunately expected to survive.

The shooter was one of the school’s own, 14-year-old boy Colt Gray, who is now facing murder charges as an adult. Before the shooting had occurred, Apalachee High School received a phone threat warning of potential shootings at multiple schools, leading to increased security measures in the area. However, when Gray let his Algebra class and returned later around 9:45 am, the shooting began. Law enforcement received reports at around 10:20 am, where they responded to the scene and were able to apprehend Gray. Now, Gray faces 14 charges, including involuntary manslaughter and second-degree murder, which could result in a sentence of up to 180 years if convicted.

Colt Gray faced bullying at school, leading his father, Colin Gray, to seek help from administrators. While Colin described his son as a “good boy” who wouldn’t commit violence, he acknowledged the bullying’s impact on Colt and the family’s turmoil. Further, Colt had shown interest in past mass shootings, particularly the 2018 Parkland shooting, and sought a change in school districts due to the ridicule he faced.

Gray’s father was arrested for gifting Gray the AR-15 rifle which was used in the massacre. This raises the interesting question of how much should parents be held accountable for their children’s access to firearms, particularly in cases where prior warning signs, such as bullying or mental health issues, were evident?

Overall, this incident reflects the growing problem of gun violence, where now young kids are being found in the loop of this, as both victim and perpetrator. Many questions are being raised from this situation, and policymakers need to analyze and answer these questions to ensure a stable and flourishing environment.