Georgia Town in Mourning Shows Little Sympathy for Dad Charged in Shooting

WINDER, Ga. – John George, a lifelong resident of Winder, recalls receiving his first hunting gun at the age of 14, the same age as the suspect charged with killing four individuals at Apalachee High School last Wednesday. George reflects on the strict guidelines his father set for him regarding weapon use, a principle he has passed down to his own three children, now adults who also own firearms.

As a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, George initially found it hard to believe that both the teenager and his father had been charged with serious crimes in connection with the shooting, which occurred over 50 miles northeast of Atlanta. However, upon learning that Colin Gray, the suspect’s father, allegedly allowed his son access to an “AR-platform style weapon” despite knowledge of the teen’s behavioral struggles, George, along with many in the community, began to view the prosecution as warranted. Gray reportedly told authorities that his son had been bullied and was troubled by the recent separation from his wife.

“I’m a very responsible gun owner myself, and I do know what it means,” George stated. “If you’re going to own a gun, you should be responsible with it and not put it in the hands of kids.”

The community of Winder, with a population of less than 30,000, gathered on a rainy Friday evening to mourn the loss of two teachers and two students. While many expressed their commitment to Second Amendment rights and responsible gun ownership, common ground emerged: the teenager should not have had access to a firearm.

The impact of the tragedy was profoundly felt, as Jose Solis’s 15-year-old daughter, Kristina, sent him a text from her classroom saying, “There’s an active shooter. I love you.” She was in a classroom adjacent to where the gunfire erupted, with reports indicating that the shooter, the younger Gray, slipped out during math class to retrieve his semiautomatic weapon.

As Kristina was evacuated, she witnessed blood smeared in the hallway. Solis expressed his helplessness during the ordeal. “It breaks your heart,” he said. “You’re incapable of doing anything because you’re so far away.”

In the chaos, Denis Barlov’s son Amar, a junior at Apalachee, reached out to his mother saying “I don’t wanna die” and “I’m shaking.” Unfortunately, in just six minutes, the shooting left four people dead, including 14-year-olds Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, along with Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53.

Barlov, who coached soccer at the school and spent significant time with his students, felt a surge of grief when he learned who was among the victims. “I just can’t get over it,” he admitted.

In addition to the fatalities, nine others suffered injuries during the incident. Teachers effectively utilized newly implemented panic buttons to alert law enforcement, a proactive action that Chris Hosey, director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, stated prevented a more catastrophic outcome.

Now, Solis grapples with the fear of allowing his daughter to roam freely in Winder, where memorials have emerged across the town, signifying collective grief for the victims. He expressed profound disillusionment, highlighting that parents should feel secure sending their children to school.

Barlov, who believed Winder to be a safe environment for his family, now feels the issue of gun violence is not just localized but a national concern. “If you look at any country in the world, there’s no school shooters. It’s only right here,” he lamented.

As emotional turmoil spread throughout Winder, many parents expressed deep-seated anger toward Colin Gray, the accused shooter’s father. Barlov criticized Gray’s actions, stating, “You knew what this kid was capable of doing.”

Gray, facing two counts of second-degree murder and additional charges, appeared in court flanked by family, provoking strong emotions among those affected by the tragedy. This case marks only the second instance in the U.S. where a parent has been charged in connection to a mass school shooting, following the precedent set by the Crumbley case in Michigan.

Nick Suplina from Everytown for Gun Safety highlighted that the case illustrates parental accountability in matters of public safety. “The fact that Mr. Gray bought his son a weapon of war as a present – months after being investigated for making threats to shoot up a school – is a complete dereliction of responsibility,” he said.

Solis expressed hope that justice would prevail through the ongoing investigation, while the community faces a challenging path to healing. “We will definitely recover, but it won’t be easy,” he noted.

At a vigil attended by families and friends, parents reflected on the responsibilities that come with both parenting and gun ownership. Antonio and Llasbet Montes, with children attending the high school, expressed their sorrow and understanding of why Colin Gray is facing charges. “He should be responsible for his son’s actions,” Llasbet asserted.

While acknowledging their right to bear arms, Antonio emphasized the importance of responsible gun access. “Not everyone should own a gun, especially underage kids,” he stated.

Dion Muldrow, band director at Apalachee High School, shared similar sentiments, reinforcing that parents must address inappropriate behavior in their children. “Our kids are our responsibilities,” he said, affirming that the charges against Gray resonate with him.

As the community processed their grief and anger, frustrations also arose concerning the systems in place that allowed the situation to escalate without intervention. Previously, tips had been forwarded to the local sheriff’s office after a series of threats were reported. No immediate action was taken, which leaves many questioning how the shooter slipped through the cracks.

Barlov voiced concerns regarding the failure of law enforcement to protect the community: “Honestly, this could’ve been prevented if the FBI and Jackson County did their job.”

Relatives of the accused have noted that the teen was already struggling with mental health issues, and calls for help had been made by family members before the shooting. This raises further questions about the community’s ability to address mental health needs effectively.

Psychology experts stress that identifying warning signs of potential violence is a shared responsibility among parents, educators, and law enforcement. “The burden of it doesn’t fall on just one person,” one professional commented, highlighting the systemic nature of the problem.

In the wake of the tragedy, the town of Winder remains committed to healing while grappling with the complexities of accountability and the consequences of gun access.

Source: USA Today