Georgia High School Teacher Shot Thanks Those Who Saved His Life

In a tragic incident at Apalachee High School, teacher David Phenix experienced a harrowing event when he was shot twice on September 4. Despite the circumstances, Phenix shared his feelings of being “incredibly blessed” in a heartfelt message on Facebook.

Phenix recounted how the bullets that hit him—the one in his side and the one in his foot—miraculously avoided all vital parts of his body. “Had things been a quarter inch to the left or right, things could have been vastly different,” he reflected on the emotional toll of the day.

As he begins his recovery, Phenix is aware of the physical challenges he will face. He mentioned the stitches, staples, and upcoming physical therapy that will be part of his rehabilitation. However, he is equally concerned about the mental aspect of healing, stating that grasping the gravity of the events that unfolded will require a different kind of effort.

The shooter, 14-year-old Colt Gray, is accused of killing four individuals and injuring nine others during the attack. Among the injured, seven sustained gunshot wounds, including Phenix.

In his latest post, Phenix expressed immense gratitude towards those who helped him during the chaos of that day, specifically acknowledging his co-teacher who applied pressure to his wound while simultaneously keeping the class of frightened students calm. He also recognized two 14-year-olds who assisted in managing his injury and thanked them for their bravery and kindness.

Phenix reached out to commend the first responders, medical personnel, and his family for their unwavering support throughout this traumatic experience. He emphasized the appreciation he feels for the community’s overwhelming response, filled with encouragement, love, and compassion during these trying times.

While Phenix focuses on his recovery, he cannot ignore the profound sorrow for the families of the victims. The killing of two teachers and two students weighs heavily on him. He stated, “Families were shattered and worlds were turned upside down,” and urged people to continue praying for these families as they navigate their devastating losses.

He vividly described the challenge of processing the traumatic images and emotions he encountered that day. “The images, sights, sounds, and actions are immense and will be forever etched in my memory,” he wrote. He acknowledged that the journey of understanding his emotions—from anger and sadness to gratitude—will be long and complex.

Colt Gray faces serious charges, including four counts of felony murder, with additional charges expected to follow. Furthermore, his father, Colin Gray, has also been implicated, facing multiple charges including involuntary manslaughter and cruelty to children. Accusations against him involve permitting his son access to the weapon used in the shooting.

As of now, neither Colt nor his father has entered a plea regarding the charges against them.