WINDER, Ga. — A 14-year-old boy was taken into custody on Wednesday after he brought a firearm to Apalachee High School, the same institution that experienced a tragic shooting incident in September which resulted in the deaths of two teachers and two students, as well as injuries to several others.
Officials from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office reported that the school resource officers apprehended the student without incident during the afternoon at the Winder school, located about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. According to deputies, the student was compliant and did not pose a threat to anyone with the firearm. No further details were provided regarding any threats made by the boy following the arrest.
Since the student is a minor, his identity has not been disclosed. He was subsequently taken to a juvenile detention center in Gainesville, facing charges that include two counts of bringing a weapon onto school property, theft, and being a minor with a gun. The deputies did not specify the type of firearm that was confiscated, and although the student was arrested shortly after 2 p.m., specifics regarding his arrival time and the situation leading to the arrest were not disclosed.
Following the incident, the Barrow County school district opted to cancel classes at Apalachee High School, which serves nearly 2,000 students and is situated approximately 45 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta.
The September 4 shooting claimed the lives of teachers Richard Aspinwall, age 39, and Cristina Irimie, age 53, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years old. Additionally, another teacher and eight students sustained injuries, with seven of them being shot.
In connection with the earlier shooting, Colt Gray, aged 14 at the time, was charged as an adult and faces an indictment on 55 counts, including murder and 25 counts of aggravated assault linked to the high school incident. He has entered a not guilty plea. His father, Colin Gray, has also been indicted on 29 counts, which include two for second-degree murder and two for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors allege that Colin Gray enabled his son to access firearms and ammunition despite being warned about the potential for harm. He, too, has pleaded not guilty.
In response to the recent events, the district notified parents that classes and extracurricular activities would be suspended on Thursday. An open house event intended to showcase new portable classrooms was also canceled. These classrooms were installed to replace those in the area of the school that is now cordoned off due to the earlier shooting.
The arrest followed a recent school board meeting that took place on Tuesday, where students, parents, and teachers expressed their concerns and urged the district to implement stronger security measures at Apalachee High School. Suggestions included increasing the number of school resource officers, enforcing a clear backpack policy, and acquiring a new surveillance system that utilizes artificial intelligence to detect firearms.
Superintendent Dallas LeDuff addressed the meeting, indicating that the district will share the findings of a security survey later this month. He also mentioned consultations with school resource officers to assess recommended security improvements.
“It has been a very intentional process,” LeDuff stated. “I think I am proud of the work our staff has done.”
