14-Year-Old Colt Gray Identified as Apalachee High School Shooter: Four Dead, Nine Injured in Winder, Georgia Massacre On September 3, 2024, the small town of Winder, Georgia, was rocked by a tragic event that left four people dead and nine others injured in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School.
The shooter, identified as 14-year-old Colt Gray, is now facing multiple charges, including four counts of murder, in a senseless act of violence that has left the community devastated.
The victims of the attack include two beloved teachers, Jah’Quih Pledger and another yet-to-be-identified staff member, as well as two students, one of whom was Mason Schermerhorn, a 16-year-old student with autism who was widely loved by his classmates.
The nine other individuals injured in the attack include both students and faculty members who are now recovering, some in critical condition. The Apalachee High School community, known for its tight-knit bonds, has been plunged into mourning.
The incident unfolded in the early afternoon during what was supposed to be a normal school day. According to authorities, Colt Gray brought a firearm to school and opened fire in a classroom before moving to other areas of the building.
Students and staff scrambled for cover as chaos erupted in the hallways. Law enforcement responded swiftly, but the damage had already been done. Gray was apprehended without incident and is currently being held as authorities investigate his motives and mental health.
The tragedy has left the community reeling, as questions arise about how such an act of violence could occur in their midst. Parents, students, and staff are left grappling with grief and shock, as vigils and memorials are being held to honor the lives lost.
Mental health professionals and grief counselors have been deployed to support students and teachers through the harrowing aftermath.
Colt Gray’s actions have reignited discussions about gun violence, school safety, and mental health intervention. As the legal process unfolds, the town of Winder mourns the innocent lives taken too soon in this devastating massacre.