Georgia high school shooting victims identified by authorities

On Wednesday morning, a student at a Georgia high school opened fire, resulting in the deaths of four victims, which have now been identified by authorities.

During the shooting, two 14-year-old students and two teachers were killed, as stated by Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey.

According to Hosey, two students at Apalachee High School were identified as Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Hosey also stated that math teachers Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irmie were killed during the shooting.

According to Channel2Now, it was believed that Schermerhorn, who was autistic, had wandered away from school after dismissal.

Aspinwall, a faculty victim and football coach at the school, was one of the victims.

"I have never met a kinder teacher than Coach Aspinwell. He always made it clear that he was available to help me with anything I needed," the student wrote in a tribute on Instagram.

He was incredibly amusing, spoke affectionately about his spouse and offspring, and demonstrated to his pupils that he valued them.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Colt Gray, now 14, was the shooter responsible for killing two students and two teachers at Apalachee High School. Gray subsequently surrendered to authorities and was arrested.

An AR platform-style weapon was used in the shooting, Hosey said.

The FBI stated that the subject in custody for the shootings at Apalachee High School is the same 13-year-old mentioned in the Joint Statement.

Despite not being aware of any known connections between Gray and the victims, investigators are still trying to determine if anyone was specially targeted.

Two school resource officers and law enforcement arrived at the school within minutes, as Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith announced during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

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

Investigators are actively pursuing leads from any potential associates of the shooter, as authorities stated there is no evidence to support the involvement of any additional shooter in the shooting.

The FBI's Atlanta field office and Jackson County Sheriff's Office announced that the National Threat Operations Center received an anonymous tip about threats posted online regarding a possible school shooting in May 2023.

The agencies said that the threats contained images of guns.

The sheriff's office was referred the matter within 24 hours of determining that the threats originated in Georgia.

"The FBI stated that the Jackson County Sheriffs’ Office found a possible suspect, a 13-year-old male, and questioned him and his father. The father admitted to having hunting guns in the house, but the subject did not have unrestricted access to them."

Authorities were informed by the agencies that the boy rejected any involvement in the threats, prompting local schools to keep a watchful eye on the child.

The FBI stated that at that time, there was no probable cause for arrest or any additional law enforcement action on the local, state, or federal levels.

Currently, Gray is being held at the Barrow County Detention center.

Authorities stated that three school resource officers were present at the school during the shooting, and they were able to make contact with the shooter, who surrendered immediately.

The remaining shooting victims are expected to recover, and the Barrow County Sheriff states that they do not anticipate any further fatalities at this time.

Planet Chronicle Digital's Gabriele Regalbuto and Louis Casiano contributed to this report.