Most Students in Barrow County Return to Class After Apalachee Shooting

In Barrow County, Georgia, students are returning to school on Tuesday, just six days after a tragic shooting at Apalachee High School resulted in the loss of two teachers and two students. Although the 1,900 students of Apalachee High School have not been given a return date, the other 13,000 students across the county will resume classes, including those at nearby middle and elementary schools.

Superintendent Dallas LeDuff announced that additional security measures will be in place when schools reopen, with sheriff’s deputies and state troopers patrolling the campuses. He emphasized the importance of counseling resources being available to students and staff during the difficult transition back to school. If anyone feels unprepared to return, they are encouraged to reach out to their school’s administration for support.

“We understand that the upcoming days will be challenging, and some of our staff and students may not feel ready to come back,” LeDuff stated in a video message. “However, we have a duty to provide a safe environment for those who are ready.”

Sabrina Masters Reed, a third-grade teacher from Holsenback Elementary School, attended training focused on grief and trauma to better support her students. She expressed uncertainty about the number of students who would return but acknowledged that many parents rely on school for childcare, especially as they return to work.

Reed noted that the community remains in shock following the shooting. As the leader of the local chapter of the Georgia Association of Educators, she shared insights from fellow educators and parents who felt secure in Barrow County, a rapidly growing suburb with a population of approximately 90,000. “This tragedy could happen in any part of the U.S.,” she lamented, reflecting the widespread concern about safety in schools.

The victims of the shooting are being remembered fondly by family and friends. Teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, were tragically lost in the incident. A memorial service was held for Aspinwall, and Irimie was honored by her congregation at a Romanian Orthodox Church, with her funeral scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.

Colt Gray, a 14-year-old, has been charged with four counts of murder in connection with the shooting. District Attorney Brad Smith suggested that additional charges could follow for Gray regarding the injured individuals. Furthermore, his father, Colin Gray, aged 54, has been charged with serious offenses including second-degree murder and child cruelty for allegedly allowing his son access to a firearm, despite being aware of the potential danger.

Alongside the fatalities, another teacher and eight students sustained injuries, with seven of them suffering gunshot wounds. Fortunately, more students are being discharged from hospitals, including Natalie Griffith, a 15-year-old who was shot in her algebra class. Her father, Doug Griffith, shared that she has been released after treatment for wounds to her arm and wrist and expressed pride in her academic achievements.

Griffith is among various family members who are reaching out for financial assistance through platforms like GoFundMe, looking to support their loved ones and other victims of the shooting. “It’s crucial that she has the necessary support,” he stressed, understanding the challenges that lay ahead as they navigate this tragic event.

In an effort to assist the community, the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, along with local officials, have established a community recovery center in Winder. This center will offer counseling, legal aid, financial support, and a host of other services for those affected.