Tragedy Strikes Georgia High School as 14-Year-Old Gunman Kills Four, Including Two Students and Two Teachers

A tragic shooting unfolded at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, on Wednesday when a 14-year-old student opened fire, leaving four people dead, including two students and two teachers. The sudden attack sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community, as students scrambled for safety and parents raced to find their children.

The victims have been identified as students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspenwall and Christina Irimie. Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey confirmed the deaths at a late-night press conference. In addition to the fatalities, at least nine others—eight students and one teacher—were hospitalized with injuries, all expected to survive.

The shooting sent the school into immediate “hard lockdown” mode, with terrified students barricading themselves inside classrooms. Junior Layla Ferrell, in her health class, recalled students piling desks and chairs against the door in a desperate attempt to secure themselves. Sophomore Kaylee Abner, in her geometry class, heard the gunfire and witnessed her teacher flipping desks to block the door. Abner recounted holding the hand of a praying classmate as they waited anxiously for police to arrive.

Following the lockdown, students were moved to the school’s football stadium, where teachers were seen using shirts to treat gunshot wounds.

Two school resource officers responded swiftly to the gunfire and confronted the suspect within minutes. The 14-year-old gunman, also a student, surrendered without resistance and was immediately taken into custody. He faces adult charges, including murder. The weapon used was an assault-style rifle, authorities said.

Investigations revealed that the suspect had previously been interviewed by authorities after the FBI received anonymous tips in May 2023 about online threats to commit a school shooting. The case had been referred to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, which interviewed the teen and his father. The father confirmed there were hunting guns in the home but insisted his son did not have unsupervised access to them. At the time, there was insufficient evidence for an arrest.

State child services had also had prior contact with the teen, and authorities are investigating whether this has any connection to the shooting. Officials are still trying to determine how the teen obtained the gun and brought it onto school property.

At an afternoon press conference, Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith fought back tears as he addressed the community. “My heart hurts for these kids. My heart hurts for our community,” Smith said. “But I want to make it very clear that hate will not prevail in this county. Love will prevail over what happened today.”

The small town of Winder, about an hour’s drive from Atlanta, is now grappling with the devastating impact of this school shooting. Parents, students, and teachers are left searching for answers as investigators continue to piece together the details of this senseless act of violence.

Sophomore Shantal Sanvee, who was in a classroom near the gunshots, said she saw “a whole lot of blood. And it was just, it was just horrible.”

“I don’t think I want to be here for like a long time now,” Sanvee said.